Winter U.S. Open Qualifier Kate Christian Verbally Commits to Alabama

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Kate Christian, a high school junior from Austin, Texas, has announced her verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for the 2023-24 school year and beyond.

“I’m extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming journey at the University of Alabama! I want to thank my family, coaches, friends, and teammates who have supported me throughout this great adventure. Roll Tide!!”

Christian swims for Lake Travis High School and Longhorn Aquatics. She recently competed at the Texas UIL 6A State Swimming and Diving Championships where she placed fourth in the 100 back with 55.25, just off her lifetime best from TXLA’s Jingle Bell Splash in December. She also swam on all three relays, leading off the 10th-place 200 medley relay (26.08 backstroke) and second-place 200 free relay (24.15), and swimming a leg (51.74) on the runner-up 400 free relay.

A Winter Juniors or faster qualifier in the 100/200 back and 200/400 IM, Christian competed at 2021 Winter Juniors-West in the 50 free, 200 back, and 200 IM. She placed ninth in the back (1:56.31) and 16th in the IM (2:01.24) and left the meet with PBs in all three events.

Most of her other SCY lifetime bests come from the Jingle Bell Splash in December and the New Year’s Classic in January. Those include 100/200/500 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 200 fly, and 400 IM.

Best SCY times:

  • 50 back – 26.03
  • 100 back – 55.16
  • 200 back – 1:56.31
  • 200 IM – 2:00.89
  • 400 IM – 4:18.63
  • 100 fly – 55.33
  • 100 breast – 1:06.91

Christian will join the Alabama class of 2027 with Gaby Van Brunt, Ella Jones, Laurel Blase, and Sydney Blackhurst. The Crimson Tide finished third in the women’s standings at the 2022 SEC Championships, their first full season under head coach Margo Geer. Alabama’s Rhyan White won both backstroke events (50.18/1:50.22). Christian’s best 200 back time would have been on the cusp of the B/C finals; it took 53.67 to make it back in the 100 back. Her IM times are very close to what it took to score at SECs this year: it took 1:59.48/ 4:18.02 to get second swims.

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Roric Fink
2 years ago

Congratulations Kate. You will thrive there under Coach Margo Geer’s leadership and passion for swimming. So happy for you both! Continued good luck!

Slade
Reply to  Roric Fink
2 years ago

How do you know she will thrive? Margo has never coached nor managed employees or swimmers- there is no track record of success at any level. She inherited a great team from another coach and fell into a more than ideal situation. Time will tell once these Sr’s move out whether or not she will thrive.

Swimm
Reply to  Slade
2 years ago

How does anyone know anyone will thrive? Give it up dude

The Austin Beef Cheekery.
2 years ago

Kate is a beast. An assassin. Bama is getting a good one here!! Trains tough. Races tough. Is tough.

About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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