The Virginia Cavaliers are gaining a great addition for their sprint group. Caitlin Cooper from Dynamo Swim Club gave her verbal commitment to the Virginia Cavaliers. With bests of 23.00 in the 50 freestyle and 50.15 in the 100 freestyle, Cooper is primarily a sprint freestyler, but she also has a solid 100 backstroke time as well at 56.88.
Last season, the Cavaliers finished 15th at the NCAA Championship’s in the women’s 200 freestyle relay. Cooper’s best flat start time from last year at 23.00 will be very beneficial for their sprint relays. All four splits were between 22.4 and 22.9 during the finals. During prelims, however, they were all slightly faster, splitting between 22.3 and 22.5. Virginia needs a little more horse power in that relay, and Cooper has the potential to be a major contributor for the team.
Caitlin Cooper will be joining Hanna House and CeCe Williams in Augie Busch‘s first recruiting class.
I remember watching the commitments roll in last year, and I was amazed at how much more quickly the women had a tendency to commit than the men. I see the same trend this year. It seems that the men like to take all of their trips before making their decision, and you can clearly see that just by looking at the top 20 of both genders. Women: 14 of 20 have committed. Men: 7 of 20 have committed. It’s not that they “are off to a slow start” at UVA. Last year, the first man gave his verbal to UVA in the last week of October. Everyone just needs to give UVA coaching staff a chance to do their… Read more »
What about the top women’s recruit from Mass, Jennifer Marrkand. I believe she is also headed to UVA. A great get for UVA and great kid.
well one thing uva has going that did not change with the coaches is the stellar reputation this university carries. like the saying all the alumni from the 90’s love “one hellUVA school” (pronounced like hell of a) uva offer ivy league level academics without the absurd selection process, reasonable cost, good location, amazing social life and really one of the best student environments in the world. i think coach busch will be able to produce atleast a mediocre first recruiting class on the mens side simply based on the merrits this university.
now, that being said, it seems like they’ve brought on some excellent recruits on the womens side maybe not on a level with this years freshmen, but,… Read more »
Gomez! A great va coach
You’re forgetting they got two sub 23 girls this fall. Ellen Thomas 26.14 LC & Shannon Rauth 22.86. But they’ll need to replace Emily Lloyd after this year, so it will be needed!
It seems like the previous post is fair…this is the high volume period for recruits making their commits. Given the considerable volatility with the UVa team last Summer, a slow start for the new coaches on recruiting would seem expected. A total coaching change-over is difficult under best circumstances and not strains like at UVa.
Are they recruiting any men?
Obviously, you realize that just because a school isn’t getting a lot of recruits doesn’t mean that they aren’t recruiting anyone. High level Recruits have a lot of options and a lo of it comes down to luck for the school.