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Scarlet Martin from Coralville, Iowa has announced that she’s switched her commitment to the University of Iowa for next fall. Martin had originally committed to Florida as a junior last September.
Both Florida (Anthony Nesty taking over for Jeff Poppell) and Iowa (Nathan Mundt taking over for Marc Long) have new head coaches since Martin’s original commitment. Mundt was previously Martin’s club coach at Iowa Flyers Swim Club.
Martin recently competed at the 2021 Iowa High School Girls (IGHSAU) State Championships and successfully “three-peated” the 100 fly, winning the event in 53.44. Martin, who competes for Iowa City West, currently holds Iowa HS state records in the 100 fly (53.01), which she set at the 2020 state meet. Martin also placed 2nd in the 100 back (54.92), and was part of West’s 3rd place 200 free relay (22.96) and 2nd place 400 free relay (49.66).
Martin is a seven-time Iowa HS state champion, winning both the 200 IM and 100 fly in 2019, the 100 fly, 100 back, and two relays in 2020, and the 100 fly in 2021. In addition to the 100 fly, Martin currently holds Iowa HS state records in the 100 back (54.17) and the 400 free relay (3:23.73).
Martin also competes in year-round club swim with the Iowa Flyers (IFLY) Swim Club. That means she has experience with new Iowa head coach Nathan Mundt, who was previously Martin’s coach at IFLY. In June, she competed at the 2020 (2021) US Olympic Trials Wave I and placed 24th in the 100 fly (1:01.67). Most recently, she competed at the Iowa Long Course Championships and won 3 events: The 50 fly, 100 fly, and 100 back.
Her best times (SCY) include:
- 50 free – 23.88
- 100 free – 50.50
- 200 free – 1:48.60
- 100 back – 54.14
- 100 fly – 53.01
- 200 fly – 1:57.91
- 200 IM – 2:02.50
Martin was the #20-ranked recruit in the high school class of 2022 at the time of her commitment, though she slipped out of those rankings by the senior class rerank.
Martin will add depth to any of the Hawkeye’s relays, as she would currently hold the top times in the 100/200 freestyle and and the 100 fly. Current Hawkeyes Kennedy Gilbertson (Jr.) and Maddie Black (So.) hold the top 50 free spots – 23.38 and 23.42, respectively – from last season’s Big Ten Championships. Gilbertson also holds the top time in the 100 back (53.92) from the conference meet, which was an NCAA “B” cut.
From a Women’s All-Time standpoint, Martin would rank 2nd in the 100 fly, 2nd in the 200 fly, 7th in the 100 back, 7th in the 200 freestyle, and 8th in the 200 IM.
Iowa’s roster is significantly smaller than it’s been in past seasons. Iowa’s 2021-2022 roster only has 8 swimmers, sometimes leaving them unable to fill all the events at meets.
Prior to the beginning of the 2020-2021 season, Iowa announced that it would be cutting both its men’s and women’s swim teams. However, the women’s team was later reinstated in February due to Title IX concerns.
Martin will join two other recent commits: Olivia Asay and Emily Wooden. In addition, they’ve picked up two high-profile recruits: European Juniors qualifier Sila Ozkazanç and two-time All-American Leslie Wendel. The Hawkeyes look to pick up big diving points with recent signees Dani Anglin, Geneva Pauly, who’s a USA Diving platform finalist, and Alyssa Konz, and Lainey Woodward.
Things change! And with that being said, I’m switching my commitment to the University of Iowa! Thankful for this opportunity! Can’t wait to get to work! GO HAWKS🐤 pic.twitter.com/lmZaAq5Qj1
— Scarlet Martin (@scarletrmartin) November 4, 2021
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Wasn’t the Iowa program cancelled at the time of her original commitment anyway.
Woot! Woot!! Look at those strong Iowa girl arms!! Best of luck to her as a Hawkeye!
Here for it. #poweredbycorn sounds like a built-in NIL deal waiting to happen.
Looks like Iowa is back in business!
I wish I had her muscles
why she leave florida for iowa??
We’ll never know the real answer, but they have a new head coach since she committed, plus there’s a pandemic. I can think of about a billion plausible hypotheticals about why that might change her decision. Change in scholarship offer, closer to home, didn’t click with the new coach at Florida, burned out on swimming and wants a more casual experience, really likes the new Iowa head coach, etc. etc. etc.
also feel like it’s necessary to point out that the new iowa head coach is/was scarlet’s club coach.
Out of state school with a big roster to in-state school with a small roster… can probably think of a few good reasons.
Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox perhaps? Could see ways it makes sense. Wishing her the best!
It might be as simple as the total net cost of attendance. I doubt that Nesty could/would offer her a full ride. With lower cost of instate tuition and driving home vs flying home, it wouldn’t be hard for new coach to pitch a better financial package to parents