Will Thomas of Austin, Texas, Jack McCaghren of Memphis, Tennessee, and Luke Snyder of West Deptford, New Jersey have all verbally committed to the application process at the University of Pennsylvania.*
Will Thomas
Photo courtesy of Will Thomas
Thomas is a senior at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. He swims for Lost Creek Aquatics and specializes in distance freestyle. His older brother, Wes, currently a senior at Penn, was 8th in the 200 breast, 11th in the 100 breast, and 14th in the 1000 free at last year’s Ivy League Men’s Championships. The two brothers will just miss overlapping.
Will Thomas took fourth in the 500 free at the 2016 6A Texas State Meet. He scored a personal best in the event in prelims, touching in 4:24.48. His top 200 free time (1:40.56) comes from College Station Sectionals last February. Thomas competed in the 200/400/1500m freestyles at 2016 Speedo Summer Juniors. His best SCY times are:
- 200 free – 1:40.56
- 500 free – 4:24.48
- 1000 free – 9:42.81
- 1650 free – 15:58.99
Thomas would have scored in the B final of the 500 free and the C final of the 200 free at 2016 Men’s Ivies.
Jack McCaghren
Photo courtesy of Jack McCaghren
A senior at Memphis University School in Memphis, Tennessee, McCaghren swims for Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club and is a Winter Nationals qualifier in the 100/200 butterfly events, and a Winter Juniors qualifier in the 100 back.
“I am beyond blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Pennsylvania! I chose UPenn because of the fantastic combination of world class academics and athletic prowess. All the guys on the team made me feel welcome and the coaching staff did the same. I can’t wait to get up to Philly next year and be a Quaker!”
McCaghren’s top SCY times are:
- 50 back – 23.46
- 100 back – 49.95
- 200 back – 1:49.25
- 100 fly – 49.20
- 200 fly – 1:49.85
McCaghren would have scored in the C finals of the 100/200 back and 100/200 fly at 2016 Men’s Ivies.
Luke Snyder
Photo courtesy of Luke Snyder
Snyder swims for Saint Augustine Prep in Richland, New Jersey, as well as the Jersey Wahoos. He specializes in mid-distance freestyle. He is the reigning New Jersey State champion in the 200 freestyle, and he broke the school record when he won the event at the Meet of Champions with 1:40.68.
“I’m so excited to be attending the University of Pennsylvania next year! I felt immediately at home when I stepped on campus and met the team. Everyone there is so supportive and pushes you to be the best you can. Go Quakers!”
Snyder is a local, having grown up in southern New Jersey. He told SwimSwam, “With [Penn] being right across the river, I know how amazing the academics and athletics are there!” Moreover, he has grown up with the “three McHugh brothers (Brendan, Dylan, and Colin) all who have gone to the University of Pennsylvania for swimming as well.” [sic] All of these factors went into his decision.
Snyder’s best SCY times are:
- 100 free – 46.38
- 200 free – 1:39.61
- 500 free – 4:33.06
Snyder would have scored in the C final of the 200 free at 2016 Men’s Ivies.
*IVY LEAGUE DISCLAIMER: A “verbal commitment” by a coach is not an offer of admission, as only the Admissions Office has that authority. An Ivy League coach can only commit his or her support in the admissions process.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email to [email protected].
AB
Go Quakers!!!!
Dillon*
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