Sprinter Gracie Felner Changes Verbal from Cal to Alabama for Fall 2020

Fitter and Faster Swim Clinics is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Bellevue Club Swim Team’s Gracie Felner has changed her verbal commitment from Cal to Alabama for next fall, joining the Crimson Tide’s class of 2024. She had initially announced her verbal commitment to the Golden Bears in the spring.

I’m excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Alabama! I am grateful to Coach Coley for introducing me to such a strong program and look forward to being a part of the team this coming fall. I would like to thank my parents, coaches and teammates that have helped me through this whole process and finding the right fit. ROLL TIDE 🔴⚪️🐘

TOP TIMES

  • 50 free – 23.22
  • 100 free – 49.32
  • 200 free – 1:47.58
  • 100 breast – 1:01.19
  • 200 breast – 2:14.52
  • 100 fly – 54.47
  • 200 IM – 2:00.36

Felner is a great sprint free pick-up with versatility in breaststroke, fly, and IM. This summer, she hit big new personal bests in long course, going 26.99 in the 50 free, 55.88 in the 100 free, 2:01.40 in the 200 free, 1:01.95 in the 100 fly, and 2:20.00 in the 200 IM. With her best times, Felner would’ve been Alabama’s #1 200 IM’er, #2 200 freestyler, #2 200 breaststroker, #3 100 freestyler, #3 100 breaststroker, and #3 100 butterflier.

At the 2019 SEC Championships, Felner would’ve made C-finals in the 100 free and 100 breast.

This is another big sprint addition to new head coach Coley Stickels’ program; besides the sprint pros who have followed him to Tuscaloosa from his former school of employment, Indiana, collegiate sprinters Morgan Scott and Julia Wolf have transferred from IU to ‘Bama, while top 20 recruit Matt King changed his verbal from IU to ‘Bama for 2024.

Felner joins Maddie MechlingReese Hazan, Isabella Matesa, and Selina Reil in the class of 2024 on the women’s side.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour

The Fitter & Faster Swim Tour produces swim clinics featuring elite stars of the sport and the most innovative teaching platforms. FFT Swim Clinics can be customized to meet age and skill level of every team and community. Call 786-837-6881 or visit http://www.fitterandfaster.com/ to learn more.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour

Facebook – @fitterandfastertour

Twitter – @fitterandfaster

FFT is a SwimSwam partner.

8
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

8 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
IrishMastersSwimmer
4 years ago

College swimming is great but doesn’t last forever. That said, Cal is no. 10 in the U.S.News rankings of American universities and Alabama is no. 153. I can already hear the screams of the ‘Bama faithful – sorry,, but it is what it is. Which diploma would you rather have?

IrishMastersSwimmer
4 years ago

College swimming is great but doesn’t last forever. That said, Cal is no. 10 among U.S. universities in the U.S. News rankings; Alabama is no. 153.

Curious
4 years ago

Anyone know why?

PVSFree
Reply to  Curious
4 years ago

Coley Stickels is one of the best sprint coaches in the country. I’m assuming that’s why

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  PVSFree
4 years ago

How this got a single downvote is a mystery.

Blaize
Reply to  PVSFree
4 years ago

Coley coached Cal’s best swimmers Abbey and Keaton, among others.

Sorry goose it’s time to buzz the tower
4 years ago

Couldn’t help but visualize TERI as the commander in the tower with a Cup of coffee in hand when she got that phone call

Lane 8
4 years ago

I just noticed that she is on the same club team as Matt King. Is it just a coincidence or what?

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

Read More »