The University of Southern California received a verbal commitment this morning from Kyle Grissom, a senior at Porterville High School in Porterville, California. He will keep his talent in-state, joining the Trojans next fall.
He has been called “The Porterville Torpedo”, which is easy to see why. Also a self-proclaimed ping pong fiend, Grissom specializes in fly and sprint-freestyle, representing Tule Nation Tritons. The 100 Fly is his baby, as he is the CIF Central Section record holder in that event, with a 48.80. In 2014, as a junior, he won the 100 Fly and the 50 Free at the CIF Central Section High School Championships, where he also set his 100 Fly record. He won the 100 Fly at the Speedo Champions Series, held in Clovis this summer. To complete his 2014 long course season, he competed at Summer Junior Nationals, placing 115th in the 50 Free and 42nd in the 100 Fly.
Grissom’s Best Times
(SCY/LCM)
50 Free: 20.84/24.54
100 Free: 46.79/54.82
100 Fly: 48.80/55.71
200 Fly: 1:53.40/2:09.02
The Torpedo Is Getting Faster
Grissom’s short course best times are all from his junior season, which shows that he is progressing well towards having his best season yet. His fly improved this summer, as he went best times in the 100 and 200 fly. In short course, he has dropped nearly three seconds in the 50 Free, six seconds in the 100 Free, eight seconds in the 100 Fly, and seventeen seconds in the 200 Fly since his freshman season. In long course, he has dropped a second in the 50 Free, 2 seconds in the 100 Free, four seconds in the 100 Fly, and five seconds in the 200 Fly since his freshman season.
For a sprinter, Grissom’s 200 Fly is decent and could be a possible event for him to develop once he gets to USC. As it stands, his fly would be the most valuable asset to the Trojans, but they could use him in the 200/400 Free Relay as well. USC is stacked with flyers and sprint-freestylers, which will be a great environment for Grissom’s development. In his freshman year with the Trojans, he may not make a dramatic impact as far as points go, as his times are not quite there yet. His 50 Free, 100 Fly, and 200 Fly would be close to making the 2014 Pac-12 C Final. With a year left to improve and gain more experience racing at the national level, Grissom could blossom into the Trojan Torpedo.
Interesting prospect and one with a huge upside to have an impact in Division 1. Over the years, USC (and probably every other major program) has recruited its share of high school All Americans and Age Group Top 10-ers who were maxed out in high school and never reached elite levels in college. Grissom is intriguing because he swims in an out-of the way town (Porterville) but is still the Central Section record holder in the 100 Fly. My hunch is that Kyle has major untapped potential that will be realized with development and “coaching up” with Salo and staff. By the way, one of the college basketball and NBA legends – Bill Sharman – had Porterville as his home… Read more »
Way to go big Kyle!! So proud of your swimming achievements and definitely not surprised.
More importantly though, you think you can handle this old man on the pong table? Bring it kid!!
CONGRATULATIONS! What a great opportunity to walk-on to at such a great academic and swimming power. Fight On!
Way to go, KGriss!
Nice to see the central section swimmers making names for themselves in the pool. I’m from Dinuba and know how rarely a small town kids makes it into the “big leagues”. Well done Kyle.