Winter U.S. Open Qualifier Reese Voelkel Commits to LSU

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Reese Voelkel, a 2021 graduate of George Ranch High School, has committed to LSU.

“I chose LSU because of its unmatched campus atmosphere, all the facilities and resources I will need in the pool and the classroom, and the new coaching that I believe can take this team to the next level.”

Voelkel decided to take a gap year to continue his college search and adjust for the extra year of eligibility given to current college swimmers, something he said affected his ability to get recruited straight out of high school.

At the 2021 Texas 6A High School Championships, Voelkel placed 11th in the 100 back. He also swims club for Katy Aquatics. At the 2021 Speedo Winter Juniors (West), Voelkel placed 5th in the 200 back and 13th in the 100 back.

Voelkel has Winter U.S. Open cuts in the 100 and 200 back. He also has USA Swimming Futures cuts in the LCM 50, SCY/LCM 100, and LCM 200 free, as well as the SCY 200 IM. In LCM events only, Voelkel has a Summer Juniors cut in the 100 fly and a Winter Junior cut in the 200 fly.

Best short-course yards times:

• 100 free: 45.87
• 200 free: 1:42.18
• 100 back: 48.31
• 200 back: 1:44.43
• 200 IM: 1:51.64

LSU is a member of the Southeastern Conference. At the 2021 SEC championships, LSU finished 9th out of 10 teams. At that meet, Voelkel would’ve made the C final in the 200 back.

The team scored just 3 points in the men’s backstroke events at last year’s SEC Championship meet, but under new head coach Rick Bishop, recruiting has already begun to simulate a bit going forward, as evidenced by this commitment.

Voelkel will join a young backstroke team. All four of the LSU swimmers who list backstroke as a specialty are either freshmen or sophomores. Currently, freshman Griffin Curtis and junior Brooks Curry–not listed as a backstroker, but who is the top 100 backstroker this season on the team so far–have faster times than Voelkel, but only by a second. Voelkel’s time would currently make him the fastest 200 backstroker on the team, so he has the potential, with some more work, to top the backstroke program.

Voelkel also joins freestyler Stuart Higdon and Carson Paul for the class of 2022.

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