The Indiana men will add a new member to their backstroke group next season, as in-state backstroke talent Jacob Steele has verbally committed to join the Hoosiers next fall. Steele is a club swimmer for the Fort Wayne Swim Team, and will graduate from Snider High School.
Last season, Steele was championship finalist at the 2016 Indiana Boys State Championships. There, he raced his way onto the podium with a 3rd place finish in the 100 back. He was also a 2-time finalist at the 2016 Indiana Boys Sectional Championships (Fort Wayne), where he won the 100 back with a personal best 49.97 and finished 5th in the 200 IM.
Steele’s Top Times:
- 100 back- 49.97
- 200 back- 1:50.53
- 200 IM- 1:54.67
When he arrives at Indiana, Steele will be in good company for his back and IM training. One of his training partners for the 100 back will be Ali Khalafalla, who placed 18th in the 100 back at 2016 Big Tens. He’ll also be swimming with Ian Finnerty and Vini Lanza, who finished 4th and 5th in the 200 IM, respectively, at Big Tens.
Last season, Indiana had Bob Glover place in the top 5 of both backstrokes at the 2016 Big Ten Championships. However, he’ll be graduating at the end of this season. While Steele isn’t fast enough to score at Big Tens yet, he should help the Hoosiers maintain some depth in their backstroke group.
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