Tennessee Picks Up Second Top 10 Verbal for Class of 2031 from #7 Hayden Vicknair

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Baylor School junior Hayden Vicknair from Signal Mountain, Tennessee, has opted to remain in-state to swim and study at the University of Tennessee beginning in 2027-28.

“I am beyond excited and honored to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee! I would like to thank Coach Kredich and Coach Caleb, along with the rest of the coaching staff at Tennessee for this amazing opportunity. Big thanks to Coach Brooks and Coach Madison for guiding me and pushing me to be the best version of myself in and out of the pool. I would also like to thank my teammates, friends, and family for supporting me throughout this process. I’m extremely grateful to be a part of such an amazing program and I can’t wait to represent the Volunteers. Go Vols!!!🍊🍊”

Vicknair is one of the most versatile swimmers in the cohort, for which we ranked him #7 on our Way Too Early list of top boys’ swimmers from the high school class of 2027. He’s one of the stronger sprint freestylers in the class but he could also be a threat for the Vols in the 100/200 fly and the 100/200 back.

During last year’s high school season, the Baylor School sophomore was runner-up in the 100 free (44.04) and placed 3rd in the 100 fly (47.54) at the Tennessee High School (TISCA) State Championships, earning PBs in both events. He had swum a lifetime best in the 50 back (24.03) earlier in the season. Competing with Baylor Swim Club a week later at the BAY Regional Championships, he updated his lifetime bests in the 200 free (1:37.16), 100 back (48.81), 200 back (1:45.84), and 200 IM (1:51.40), dropping 3.6 seconds in the 200 free, 3.2 in the 100 back, 3 in the 200 back, and 6 in the 200 IM.

He wrapped up short course season two weeks later at the Speedo Southern Premier, where he locked in times of 20.53 in the 50 free, 48.62 in the 100 back, 1:45.41 in the 200 back, and 1:45.18 in the 200 fly. He won the 200 fly and was a top 8 finisher in the 50 free, 100 back, and 100 fly.

Vicknair saw similar improvements during long-course season, dropping time in all his events throughout the summer, with a notable 4.5-second improvement in the 200 fly at U.S. Nationals in June. His 1:59.83 put him at the top of the cohort in the event. He also hit lifetime bests of 51.26 in the 100 free, 25.12 in the 50 fly, and 54.47 in the 100 fly.

He wrapped up long-course season at Ocala Futures with new PBs in the 50 free (23.10), 100 free (50.63), and 100 fly (53.62), and was a top 8 finisher in the 50 free (7th), 100 free (5th), 100 fly (6th), and 200 fly (3rd).

The Vols are off to a strong start on forming their class of 2031, with early verbal commitments from Vicknair and #4 Collin Holgerson, another native of the Volunteer State.

It took 19.53/42.75/1:34.99 in free, 46.78/1:44.30 in fly, and 46.75/1:42.96 in back to score at SECs last season, where Tennessee came in 3rd in the men’s meet.

Best SCY times:

• 50 free – 20.53
• 100 free – 44.04
• 200 free – 1:37.26
• 100 fly – 47.54
• 200 fly – 1:45.18
• 100 back – 48.62
• 200 back – 1:45.41

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