Bryce Kananowicz from the Couer D’alene Area Swim Team in Idaho has given his verbal commitment to the University of South Carolina, as the Gamecocks men’s program now matches the Heather Merritt pledge that the women got over the weekend.
Kananowicz is actually a very similar type of recruit to Merritt: a solid freestyler who is also really good in the backstroke events.
He’s been 4:32.57 in the 500 yard free, which is his best distance event, plus a 49.27 in the 100 yard back and a 1:47.35 in the 200 yard back.
South Carolina’s current top backstroker, senior Jay Warner, will be graduated by the time Kananowicz’s career starts in the fall of 2014, though Michael Covert will still be around.
With the SEC extending to three scoring finals at their championship meet, Kananowicz certainly is within range of scoring as a freshman, with two big taper meets to go.
The state of Idaho, while it might not jump off of the page as a recruiting hot bed, actually produces quite a bit of Division I talent every year. Also in this year’s class is yet-uncommitted Alexander Trompke from the Boise YMCA, who has very similar times to Kananowicz and very similar event specialties.
4:23.57 in the 500 yard free? More like 4:32.57