Georgia has added a surprising new name to their roster in New Zealand‘s Gabrielle Fa’amausili. The team announced her commitment to their incoming class with a tweet today, adding a big name to the program. Fa’amausili trains with United Swimming Club in Auckland and attends Avondale College currently.
The 18-year-old won the 50 backstroke World Jr title in 2015, breaking the World Jr record in the process (that mark is now held by Australia’s Minna Atherton). She was also a finalist in the 100 back at those championships. At the senior level, Fa’amausili competed at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest last summer, swimming to a 23rd place in the 50 back prelims.
Fa’amausili also holds the New Zealand 50 backstroke record along with several age group records in sprint free and backstroke.
UPDATE: The Kiwi will join the Bulldogs this January for the 2nd semester, not next fall.
TOP TIMES (LCM)
- 50m free – 25.02
- 100m free – 55.89
- 50m back – 27.81
- 100m back – 1:00.74
- 50m fly – 27.93
Fa’amausili is a fantastic sprinter, which is exactly what the Bulldogs need since the graduation of All-Americans Olivia Smoliga and Chantal van Landeghem. The Kiwi is a pure sprinter, which should make her a deadly weapon for the 200 medley and 200 free relays in particular.
While it’s unclear what she’ll be able to do in yards, Fa’amausili’s best times are very similar to those of top American teenagers Grace Ariola and Lucie Nordmann. Her best times in the sprint freestyle are from this year but she hasn’t dropped time in backstroke since 2017– regardless, at face value, Georgia has snagged an essential piece to buff up their relays and possibly make waves individually on a national level.
Building on Fa’amausili’s presence this winter, UGA is trending up with a monster class incoming next year. #1 Eva Merrell, #11 Dakota Luther, #12 Olivia Carter, Top 20 HM Madison Homovich, Callie Dickinson, Addison Kelly, Caroline Aikins and Tatum Smith are all expected to be training in Athens next fall with the ‘Dawgs.
Welcome to the family, Gabi Fa'amausili! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/dHJX2nbRoW
— Georgia Swim & Dive (@UGASwimDive) November 13, 2017
per the georgia athletics release, she’ll be joining the dawgs in January
that is what i thought all along….i wrote that at start of thread. they definitely need the help….this might put their medleys in the top 8…..still weak on breast
Having a sprint backstroker would be super helpful. Right now their best option is Kylie Stewart and she’s better at the 200. This would also be great for their free relays.
She also won the 50 back at the world jr champs in 2013…. when she was 13 years old
She chose wisely. Wait till Jack Bauerle puts the weights and conditioning on her. She will go 48 100 yard backstroke easily
“Easily”
Every other dual meet
Georgias class is honestly better than stanfords, as they have a lot better sprinters for better relays
Georgia has picked up some top sprinters, but I wouldn’t sleep on Lucie Nordmann and Taylor Ruck’s sprinting abilities.
Don’t 3 of Stanfords recruits have 48 second freestyles. Not to mention Ruck is really fast at backstroke
Anya Goeders is a diamond in the rough too. 24.7 50 as a 16 year old in a non-knee length suit. I think Stanford still has better sprinters coming in.
Stanford world class sprinters 2 be sure & top depth all around
dont forget we also have much higher academic stds than georgia
Not a Georgia fan (as my moniker denotes) but anyone having to qualify their school’s recruits “being better” here at this young lady’s announcement must be “worried” that they aren’t. “Snooty nose” Stanford for ya!!!!
No way “Coach” is really affiliated with Stanford in ANY way; no class
So everyone from Stanford has ‘class’?
Or everyone affiliated with Stanford swimming has ‘class’?
I can think of one obvious counterexample, which is enough for me to believe that there is “a way.”
😉
Wouldn’t know it by the comment!!
Georgia is on a roll, especially with #1 Eva Merrell and 2016 Trials semifinalist Callie Dickinson ‘s recent verbals
Adding in Dakota Luther who is gaining incredible experience with recent National Team events in CA and Asia. Dakota can swim 100 and 200 flys as well as a very fast 200 free. She is a top get for the Dawgs
not bad but nuthin special compared 2 da #1 class
bulldogs & everybodys playun catchup wif da Card
just stating da facts u dont have 2 like it lol
Greg Meehan’s online presence isn’t what I’d have expected, but hey, it works for him.
Wooord.
You appear to be another “snooty nose” from “down on the farm”! My advice to you (like it or not) is to try to support your own team & not put down others!! Show a little class (if they grow that at all down there “on the farm”; if not, keep “plowing”. It just might “take” & grow (ya never know; just “sayin”))!!!
I’ve seen plenty of classy Stanford fans on SwimSwam. I think Coach is an exception.
Excellent! Congratulations!
Wow not easy to find a Liv replacement but this should pan out niceley for everyone!