Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s Paul DeLakis has committed to swim for The Ohio State University beginning with the 2017-2018 season.
“I chose Ohio State because of the caring coaching staff, the close team, and the academics at Ohio State were the best throughout all the schools I was considering.
“Ohio State stood out to me for many reasons: one of them was how the coaches and team really emphasized the education aspect of being a student-athlete. The opportunities for me at OSU are incomparable. Since I want to be an optometrist like my dad, I can volunteer my time at the Optometry school on campus.
“I have friends that attend OSU from Wisconsin, and they have improved their times, so I believe I can get stronger in my coaching and training. It’s nice knowing I’ll be staying in the Big 10 knowing that it is a very competitive conference and I know I will improve because of it!
“Go Bucks!!”
DeLakis is a well-rounded IMer, who holds Wisconsin high school records in the 200 free and 200 IM. At the 2016 WIAA Boys Division 1 State Meet, DeLakis won the 200 free, setting the state mark with 1:36.10, and the 100 breast. In the latter event, he missed the record, which belongs to Alex DeLakis, by .25. Paul also anchored Memorial’s 200 free relay (20.10) and 400 free relay (43.43).
DeLakis also swims for the Eau Claire YMCA. His best times include:
| SCY | LCM | |
| 200 IM | 1:46.36 | 2:08.28 |
| 400 IM | 3:48.35 | 4:37.52 |
| 100 breast | 54.81 | 1:05.80 |
| 200 breast | 1:58.37 | 2:23.90 |
| 100 free | 45.48 | 52.27 |
| 200 free | 1:36.10 | 1:55.12 |
DeLakis will add welcomed firepower to the Buckeyes, who finished in third place, only 11.5 points behind Indiana, at 2016 B1G Championships. His 400 IM time would have been right on the A final/B final bubble, his 200 IM on the B/C bubble, his 200 free and 200 breast squarely in B finals, and his 100 breast in the C final.
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Congrats Paul (Paulie)!!! It has been such a pleasure to watch and get to know you and your family over the past years. However, it is really going to be hard to say we are Ohio State fans coming from Wisconsin. But for you, we will make an exception (only for swimming). Great Job Paul, you deserve everything that is coming your way!
yo dog those SC times are mighty fast to not have a trials cut… 3:48–> 4:37????
I do not know this young man but I find the negative comments regarding kids and their college choices totally inappropriate. He looks like a great swimmer and will do great anywhere he goes.
Great short course times. Looks like he doesn’t train much in the long course seasons.
Congrats to a great talent and pleasure to be around on deck. OSU must be doing something right, they have made steady progress in the Big Ten over the past few years. Matt McHugh, also from Wisconsin, has done amazing things there although he was new to the sport in High School. Paul has been a major part of the Wisconsin Age Group scene for years.
He doesn’t practice in a long course pool during the summer. They’re difficult to find in the Midwest
Eau Claire has an outdoor long course pool. I don’t know what you are talking about.
why the heck would a guy of his talents go to OSU?
It’s a great program, with great resources and an excellent school. Why would he not go to OSU?
If they’re diving team wasn’t as incredible as it is, Wadley would’ve been gone a long time ago.
That is the most irrelevant statement I have ever read. In case you didn’t realize how coaching worked at the collegiate level, they are total separated when it comes to coaching.
Oh really? Diving points arent included at championship meets? Look again.
This is probably Bob Bowman; Delakis had to decide between Ohio State and ASU. Looks like a case of bad sportsmanship from a bitter coach. Good thing he didn’t go there.
HOLY CRAP