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2025 “Honorable Mention” Sophia Umstead Makes Verbal Pledge to UVA

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Sophia Umstead, a junior at Jenison High School in Jenison, Michigan, has announced her intention to swim and study at the University of Virginia beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Virginia! I would like to thank my family, coaches, teammates and friends for helping me achieve this dream of mine! I would also like to thank the Virginia coaches for this amazing opportunity! Go HOOS!”

Umstead won 2 individual events and 2 relay titles at the 2022 MHSAA Girls Division 2 State Championships as a sophomore last fall. She clocked a PB of 1:01.11 in the 100 breast, went 2:00.33 to win by 4 seconds in the 200 IM, split 28.46 on the breast in the medley relay, and anchored the 400 free relay in 51.24. Both relays featured a pair of Umsteads (Sophia and Layla) and a pair of Albrechts (Grace and Emma).

A month later, she was representing her club team, Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics, at Winter Juniors East. She came in 3rd in the 200 IM and 10th in the 100/200 breast, earning PBs in the 200 breast, 100 fly, and 200 IM, as well as the 100 free, leading off the MLA relay. The rest of her SCY best times came from the 2023 Michigan Open, where she won the 100 breast (1:01.14) and was runner-up in the 200 free (1:49.03), 100 fly (53.35), and 400 IM (4:16.04). She also picked up a PB in the 500 free (5:02.37) with her 3rd-place finish.

Umstead will join the Cavaliers with #4 Madi Mintenko, #8 Raya Mellott, Lily Gormsen, and Sylvia Roy in Charlottesville in the fall of 2025. As one of only 4 swimmers with a sub-1:58 in the 200 IM, she will have an immediate impact for UVA at the conference level. She would already score in the B finals of the 200/400 IM at ACCs. She would also have a second swim in the 100/200 breast and 100 fly (C finals), giving head coach Todd DeSorbo and his team plenty of options.

Best SCY times:

  • 200 IM – 1:57.60
  • 100 fly – 53.35
  • 100 breast – 1:01.11
  • 200 breast – 2:13.31
  • 400 IM – 4:16.04
  • 200 free – 1:48.63

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swimjim
10 months ago

Great swimmer. Great choice. They will love her at Virginia. Let’s go So! ✌️

CoachIanT
10 months ago

Let’s go So! ✌️

Long Strokes
10 months ago

That’s it, it’s over. If you are an elite level female swimmer, you go to UVA. Bottom line. The momentum has gotten so strong that these ladies don’t even consider other schools anymore. If you downvote my comment, I would like to hear your counterargument.

Swimpop
Reply to  Long Strokes
10 months ago

CAL 25
Any questions?

Wondering Willie
10 months ago

How come the women aren’t as organized as the men? Why aren’t they committing on the same day?

Chris
10 months ago

That 2IM is dirrrrrrty. Todd will get her into the low 1:50’s.

CPK
10 months ago

Go soph!!

*Her best 200 free is 1:48.46 now, she just PR’d at a dual meet a few weeks ago

Nonrevhoofan
Reply to  Braden Keith
10 months ago

Available on SwimCloud

LMAO
10 months ago

It’s WILD those times these days just get you to Honorable Mention.1:57 2IM is a lot of D1 school’s record. Excited to see her develop with the Hoos!

Elizabeth
10 months ago

Congrats Sophia!!!!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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