The Georgia Bulldogs have received verbals from two SwimAtlanta sprinters, Katherine Parker and Katherine Aikins. Parker swims with the Lawrenceville location of SwimAtlanta, while Aikins trains with the Johns Creek location. Both of them swam at last year’s Georgia 6A HS State Champs, where Parker (Mill Creek High School) won the 100 back state title and Aikins swam on both free relays for Lambert High School that won state titles.
Katherine Parker
Parker is an Olympic Trials qualifying backstroker who can swim both the 100 and the 200. Take a look at her top times below:
- 50y back – 26.48
- 100y back – 55.62
- 200y back – 2:02.42
- 100m back – 1:03.19
- 200m back – 2:17.96
Georgia has a gauntlet of backstrokers in their lineup– last year, three different swimmers earned NCAA ‘A’ cuts in their respective backstroke events: Olivia Smoliga in the 100 and Kylie Stewart and Hali Flickinger in the 200. The Dawgs return most of their backstroke squad from last year, but Parker will be a welcome addition to a very deep part of Georgia’s roster. The closest Parker is to scoring at SECs would be in the 100 back, where she’s within a second of the C final cut off from last season.
I chose UGA because I loved the team there and instantly felt like I was a part of a family. I know the great coaching staff they have will help me reach my goals and full potential in the years that I’m there. I can’t wait to be a part of one of the best college teams in the country! GO DAWGS!
Katherine Aikins
Aikins is a pure sprint freestyler, with a Winter Juniors in the 50y free and a Nationals cut in the 50m free. She is also pretty solid in the backstroke, and interestingly enough, is best at the 200 distance. A look at her top times below, SCY/LCM:
- 50 free – 23.28/26.67
- 100 free – 51.80/58.11
- 200 free – 1:52.38/2:06.70
- 100 back – 57.96/1:06.19
- 200 back – 2:01.55/2:19.32
- 200 IM – 2:05.08/2:21.21
Italics indicate a Winter Juniors cut
Bold indicates a Winter Nationals cut
Aikins is better in long course, though she would’ve been tied for the Dawgs’ 7th best 50 free time last season, and of those top sprinters, they lose Maddie Locus and Lauren Harrington to graduation. Also, her 200 back isn’t too shabby, and she could find herself swimming both free and back at UGA.
I am so excited to be a part of the amazing team they have! GO DAWGS!
These two will meet again at the 2016 Georgia 6A Championships, looking to defend their state titles. Aikins’ team, Lambert, will be fighting for a four-peat. The pair will be solid additions to the UGA program next fall, as the Dawgs will continue to operate at the top of the SEC (and right in the mix of things at the NCAA level). Joining the Katherines will be breaststroker Jordyn Gulle and freestyler Sandra Scott; all four hail from Georgia.
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