Alex Katz, a 2012 Olympic Trials semifinalist, and Big Ten medalist Ian Rainey, who both started their NCAA careers at Michigan, have resurfaced in the NCAA at New York University. Both swimmers are listed as juniors on the Violets’ roster for 2016-17.
Katz started his NCAA swimming career at the University of Michigan, where he competed for the Wolverines during the 2014-15 season. He swam the 500 free, 200 free, and 200 back at the 2015 Big Ten Championships, with his highest finish being 31st place in the 500 free. Following that season, Katz transferred to the University of Florida for the 2015-16 season with the intention of swimming. He did not, however, compete in any collegiate meets with the Gators.
While swimming for the Sarasota YMCA Sharks, Katz was a semifinalist at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, where he finished 11th in the 200 back. He then represented Team USA at the 2012 Junior Pan Pacific Championships and 2013 Junior World Championships.
Statement from Alex Katz:
“I always wanted to go to NYU but lost sight of my priorities towards the end of high school. I’m obsessed with movies and books and felt like I’d be in tune with New York’s culture, yet I only looked D1 when I made my college decisions. That was a mistake, and I consequently felt aimless and weird my first two years away from home. Needing to make a change and fast, I contacted my original dream school, and now I’m here. It’s been great, like catching a second wind. The team and coaches are awesome, have been so welcoming. Making friends has been easier than ever for me. Everyone swims because they like the sport and camaraderie, not because they feel like it’s their purpose for being. They all have other passions on dry land too. And, of course, Ian Rainey is one of my best friends.”
Katz’s Top Times
- 100 back- 49.47
- 200 back- 1:43.94
- 200 free- 1:36.98
- 500 free- 4:24.99
- 1000 free- 8:57.80
- 200 fly- 1:50.83
- 400 IM- 3:55.77
Rainey, on the other hand, completed his freshman and sophomore seasons at Michigan before transferring to NYU. He was a medalist at the 2016 Big Ten Championships as a sophomore, placing 3rd in the 400 IM. That swim earned him a spot at the 2016 NCAA Championships for the Wolverines. Rainey also placed 6th in the 1650 free and 9th in the 500 free at Big Tens last season. In his freshman season, he placed 7th in the 1650 free at the conference meet.
In the long course pool, Rainey was the 24th place finisher at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, where he also competed in the 1500 free and 200 fly. Prior to his collegiate swimming career, he was also a member of the 2014-15 USA Junior National Team.
Statement from Ian Rainey:
“After taking some time off after Olympic trials, I had time to really reevaluate my goals and my future. I was fortunate enough to be apart of the Men’s swimming and Diving team at Michigan and have no regrets about it. The coaching staff and team is an amazing group of Individuals and i learned a lot during my time there. However, I was sort of stuck in terms of my options for a major at Michigan, and decided it was time for a change.”
“I had never really heard much about NYU until my brother decided to come here last year. With a semester off at home, I had time to pick out a major I was truly interested in, Real Estate, while also being able to continue swimming. The combination of athletics and academics at NYU aligned perfectly with where I saw myself. In addition, the coaching staff here, in my opinion, is as good as any program in the country. It has been an awesome experience so far, and I’m glad that Alex Katz decided to come here as well.”
Rainey’s Top Times:
- 400 IM- 3:45.61
- 500 free- 4:21.85
- 1000 free- 9:05.31
- 1650 free- 15:09.59
- 200 fly- 1:47.81
- 200 back- 1:48.29
Both Rainey and Katz just swam for NYU in their tri-meet with MIT and Johns Hopkins, as well as their dual meet with Springfield College. Katz won the 200 back at the tri meet in 1:53.04, and won the 100 back (53.09) and 100 free (47.97) at the dual meet. Rainey touched 1st in the 200 back (1:56.58) and 200 free (1:46.30) against Springfield College. Both swimmers should be valuable assets for NYU as they head towards the postseason.
This is wonderful to see two young men who are being honest with themselves and pursuing their own paths. Way to go Alex and Ian! All the best to you both!
This is a common mistake for Swimmers. Many think that they need to swim at the D1 level or they have failed somehow. College is tough enough on it’s own without the pressure of a 40+ hour a week “job”. It’s hard for kids (and their parents!) to see that a big name D1 school isn’t the end all be all. I would say you can get an equivalent if not better education at a smaller school and have a much more satisfying swim experience. You can get all the added attractions of campus life, other sports, and local culture at smaller schools as well. Some kids thrive in D1 programs and there are spots for a lot of swimmers.… Read more »
I wouldn’t call NYU a small school. They have over 25,000 undergraduates
Total enrollment 45,000-50,000…hardly small. Think those best friends know they are going to enjoy 1.5 yrs in NYC without the stress of swimming at a powerhouse D1.
Interesting D3 choice they both made.
I posted this on twitter couple of weeks ago:
Twins want to swim in college. My recommendation:
1. Get (at least) low Div 1 times
2. 4.0 GPA
3. Go to an academic Div 3 school
4. Have fun
And pay for it all? There’s a reason why kids aim for Div 1
yea….ok Rainey. Pretty sure a Business Admin degree from UM would’ve been a great aide in a future real estate career. It’s not like having an understanding of finance, accounting, marketing, econ would be at all beneficial. You don’t need to major in real estate, you could just take a 60hr online course
I think he probably has a better idea of what’s best for him than we do. Let’s not criticize him for doing what he feels he needs to do.
Chill out there guy, you seem to be real happy with your life direction
Yea, shame on him for pursuing a different direction for his education…
Good luck Ian, great things in store from these boys
Real Estate majors can do analysis and evaluate property more then just buy and sell….it requires a college degree at most companies.
I could barely hear you over the sound of that ax grinding
Great comments by them too. Smart boys. Always nice to see to young adults pursuing academics AND swimming.
3rd college for Katz. Seems very stable and like a swimmer that will get along with his teammates and coaches. Hopefully he likes this one
Sarcasm. The lowest form of humor
America’s Funniest Home Videos must be your favorite show.
D3 has been under appreciated for far too long. You don’t have to look far for amazing academic opportunities combined with some truly top notch swimming. Most high school swimmers think it’s a linear comparison D1-D2-D3…. but it’s really not. The top D 3 programs out perform most of D1.
I am obviously a Hopkins Homer, but it deserves mention, Andy Greenhalgh went 9:12 / 4:27 (1000/500) at the NYU JHU meet…. that stacks up just about anywhere.
I’m proud of Ian and Alex for making the jump and being open about the experience they are currently enjoying. I hope it inspires more to look seriously at their D3 options.
That’s a pretty ridiculous pickup for NYU. Rainey is below the D3 record in the 4 IM and close in the 5 free, and Katz is below the D3 record in the 2 free and close in the 2 back (and can probably get pretty close in the 500 judging by that 1000 time?). Probably like 100 points individually in between them, with a huge boost to relays as well.
I don’t know the D3 landscape that well – does this put NYU right behind Kenyon / Denison / Emory?
NYU men’s team just dropped from 7th to 8th on current CSCAA rankings. NYU women’s team still rising though.