Carmel Swim Club’s Kendall Smith is headed to the University of Wisconsin next fall. Smith, part of the dynasty that is Carmel Swimming (their girls’ team won the IHSAA Champs with 445 points– no other team finished above 180 points), finished 2nd behind teammate Amy Bilquist in both the 50 and 100 free at those championships last year.
Smith finished up 45th in the 100 free and 47th in the 50 free at U.S. Junior Nationals this summer, and also led off Carmel Swim Club’s 7th place 400 free relay in 57.66, their 2nd fastest leg.
“I chose the University of Wisconsin- Madison because of the amazing team dynamic and strong academics. I also look forward to training with Head Coach Whitney Hite and the entire coaching staff. The team felt like a family and I just knew that was where I wanted to spend the next 4 years. Go Badgers!”
Smith’s Top Times
- 50y free – 23.08
- 100y free – 50.31
- 200y free – 1:49.79
- 100y breast – 1:03.96
- 50m free – 26.50
- 100m free – 57.66
Smith holds Winter Juniors cuts in the 50 through the 200 free as well as the 100 breast. Her times make her an exciting prospect for the Wisconsin Badgers, who had a deep sprint squad anchored by Ivy Martin. Then-senior Martin split a 22.6 fly and 20.9 free on Wisco’s 200 medley and 200 free relays, respectively. Both relays won B1G titles last season. The Badgers also won both 400 relays.
Junior Chase Kinney is holding down the sprint core for the Badgers this year, and they recently got a transfer from sub-50 100 freestyler Abby Jagdfeld from Purdue. In addition, their 2015-16 freshman class is loaded with sprint freestylers, and Smith will join a program that is thick with talent at the top-end but lacking in depth in recent years. It looks as though the Badgers’ future keeps getting brighter and brighter, especially with the addition of former NCAA record holder Cierra Runge. The Badgers have 13 freshmen on their roster this year– there are 16 other sophomores, juniors, and seniors combined. Head coach Whitney Hite is building this team deep, and Smith will bring her sprint expertise to a program with lots of recent sprint success.
Smith’s best times today would’ve put her on the cusp of qualifying for C finals in the 50 and 100 free at the Big Ten Championships last year. She should also be an immediate candidate for a free relay spot with the Badgers.
“I am extremely thankful to my current coaches, Chris Plumb and Ian Murray of Carmel Swim Club, for their dedication to the sport of swimming. They have instilled in me a strong work ethic and love of the sport that has helped shape me into the swimmer/person I am today. I feel very grateful to have been able to be coached by them.”
Smith joins backstroker Hannah Lindsey and OT qualifier Megan Doty in Wisconsin’s incoming freshman class.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email to [email protected]
Men’s team has also gotten verbals from Michael Milinovich, Griffin back and Eric geunes in the last few days
Congratulations Kendall! We are all
so proud of You! How Exciting! You
are such a wonderful role model!
Best Wishes to you and your family!!!
That’s a nice group the Badgers are putting together for the fall of 2016, with proven scorers Runge and Jagdfeld as redshirt sophomores, and Lindsey and Doty (both Olympic Trials qualifiers) and Smith as true freshmen. Congratulations to Kendall and the Badgers!