UVA wasn’t the only Virginia school to get a big commit from a Pittsburgh swimmer Saturday. On the same day Leah Smith committed to Virginia, Maggie Gruber of the Fox Chapel Killer Whales announced that she’ll be attending ACC rival school Virginia Tech. The two swam for competing club teams in Pittsburgh, so it’s only fitting that they would attend neighboring schools in the same conference for college.
The fifth ranked recruit out of Pennsylvania this year, Gruber will be a strong competitor in the back and fly events at both the conference and NCAA level. She’s a 54.5/2:01.6 backstroker and a 53.5/1:59.6 flyer, which will probably mean a 100 fly/100 back double and then the 200 fly at championship meets, depending on the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
Virginia Tech will graduate senior Heather Savage this year (a top 8 finisher in the 100 fly at NCAAs last year) and Gruber is well poised to fill those fins. She’ll be a great training partner and relay teammate for sophomore Sabrina Benson, who is a 52.1 backstroker and 54.1 flyer.
Great catch for UVA!!! Olivia Smoliga to UGA–wow as well!
Congrats Todd and Maggie. You will be a fine addition to the Hokies.