Pierce Oja, a senior at Billings Central High School, has given a verbal commitment to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits beginning with the 2015-16 season.
Oja has won two Montana state high school championships in the 100 breast (2012 and 2013), and two in the 200 free (2013 and 2014). Most notably, he has improved tremendously throughout his high school career:
2012 MHSA State Swim Meet: 100 breast 1:03.75 (1st), 200 free 1:56.05 (4th)
2013 MHSA State Swim Meet: 100 breast 1:01.03 (1st), 200 free 1:49.11 (1st)
2013 MHSA State Swim Meet: 100 free 48.15 (2nd), 200 free 1:48.18 (1st)
Oja also swims for Billings Aquatic Club. His best times are:
| 100y breast: 59.78 | 100m breast: 1:09.99 |
| 200y breast: 2:14.78 | 200m breast: 2:41.75 |
| 50y free: 22.08 | 50m free: 25.76 |
| 100y free: 48.13 | 100m free: 55.46 |
| 200y free: 1:45.93 | 200m free: 2:02.53 |
| 200y IM: 1:58.23 | 200m IM: 2:19.75 |
Oja will be a nice addition to South Dakota State’s lineup. Third-place finishers at the 2014 Summit Swimming & Diving Championships, the Jacks scored far fewer points in the breaststroke events than in the frees and backs, and while they loaded up the 400 IM finals, they had no scorers in the 200 IM. With another year under his belt before he dons the Jacks’ uniform, Oja just may develop into a key point-scorer for his new team in Brookings.