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Freestyle specialist Derek Feldman has committed to swim at Loyola University in Maryland for his collegiate career. Feldman hails from Pennsylvania, where he swims for Central Bucks Swim Team and competes for Central Bucks West High School. He will join the Greyhounds in the fall of 2025.
I’m excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Loyola University of Maryland! I want to thank my friends, family, and coaches for all their support. I would also like to thank the coaching staff at LU for this opportunity. Go Hounds!!
Feldman qualified and competed at the Winter Junior Championships in Greensboro last December. His highest placement came in the 100 free, where he clocked a best time of 45.00, placing 29th. He was also featured in the 50 free, posting another personal best (20.55) to rank 33rd overall. Furthermore, he swam the 100 breast (56.26) and 100 back (51.59), also notching lifetime bests, finishing 57th and 100th, respectively.
The 17-year-old closed out his short course season at last month’s PIAA 3A State Championship, where he logged his current best times in the 50 and 100 free. In the shorter distance, he finished 4th with a time of 20.36, before earning bronze in the 100 free with his first-ever sub-45 swim (44.69). He also featured on Central Bucks West’s 200 free relay, which earned silver, where he anchored with a 19.57 split, representing the only swimmer to go under 20 seconds.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 20.36
- 100 Freestyle: 44.69
- 200 Freestyle: 1:44.78
- 100 Breaststroke: 56.26
- 100 Backstroke: 50.91
Feldman will be a valuable addition to Loyola’s freestyle group. His strongest event in the team’s depth rankings is the 100 free, where his time of 44.69 would have placed him 4th on the team during the 2024-25 season. Additionally, his 20.36 in the 50-yard distance would have ranked him 8th.
Similarly, his 50 and 100 free would have placed him highest at the conference level. He would have made the ‘B’ final at the 2025 Patriot Championships in the 100 free, as his best time would have ranked 12th after prelims. His lifetime best in the 50 free would have been fast enough to secure a spot in the ‘B’ final as well, with his 20.36 edging out the 20.37 required to earn a spot in that heat.
The Loyola Greyhound men placed 3rd out of 10 teams at the 2025 Patriot League Championships. The team is led by head coach Brian Loeffler, who is in his 33rd season with the program.
Feldman was part of a large signing class for the Loyola men. He joined Jack Hathaway, George Ligozio, Colin Davis, Patrick Ciorna, Thomas Cechini, Chase Garcia, Ben Schlotterer, Ethan Horutz, and Gavin Abelende in committing to the Greyhounds’ class of 2029.
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