The University of Notre Dame swimming and diving team has signed five male swimmers to the upcoming class of 2021. The talented incoming group will look to contribute to the continued resurgence of the program bringing with them a strong repertoire of U.S. Olympic Trial Qualifying and high school title accolades. Head Coach Mike Litzinger and his staff are excited to see an incoming class that will look to make an impact from the get go.
” The men we have committed to Notre Dame in this class are an excellent fit, and impact athletes for our program. After taking over our Men’s program midway through last season, our staff, and coach Bell in particular have worked incredibly hard to keep pace. This class adds to our already hard working, talented group.”
Below is a summary of the future Fighting Irish swimmers:
San Antonio, TX
Ronald Reagan High School Distance Freestyle
Alamo Area Aquatic Club Major: Undecided
Coach-Lou Walker Parents: Steve & Audrey Yeadon
- Texas 6A Runner Up in the 500 Freestyle
- 2016 US Olympic Trials Qualifier 1500 Meter Freestyle
Best Times: 200 Free: 1:40.21 500 Free: 4:23.01 1650 Free: 15:09.77
Litzinger on Yeadon: “We are thrilled Zach will be joining us at Notre Dame. He will instantly make an impact for our team in the Freestyle events at the ACC level, and bring to us that distance mentality it takes to play nationally. Zach is well coached, and is improving rapidly. His ceiling is extremely high, and working with our distance coach(Aaron Bell) he certainly will continue the trend.”
Bristow, VA
Patriot High School IM/Backstroke
Nation’s Capital Swim Club Major: Mechanical Engineering
Coach- Jeremy Linn Parents: Mark and Catherine Cumberland
- Virginia 6A State Champion and Record Holder 200 Medley Relay
- Three time National High School All American: 200 IM, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay
- US National Championship Qualifier
Best Times: 200 Back: 1:47.09 200 IM: 1:50.22 400 IM: 3:54.37
Litzinger on Cumberland: “Will’s swimming should be very exciting to watch in the near future. He is training at an incredibly high level, and Coach Linn has him dialed in to produce some great performances. He will immediately add to a great IM/Back group we have here at Notre Dame.”
Chris Smith
Middletown, NJ
Middletown High School Free/IM
Red Bank YMCA Swim Team Major: Business
Coach- Jack Cucino Parents: Robert & Elizabeth Smith
- YMCA National Runner Up in the 200 Freestyle, 1000 Freestyle and 400 IM
- YMCA National Long Course Finalist 200 Freestyle, 400 Freestyle, 100 Fly and 200 Fly
- 2016 USA Swimming Scholastic All-American
Best Times: 200 Free: 1:40.56 500 Free: 4:26.43 1000 Free: 9:06.44 200 IM: 1:50.82 400 IM: 3:51.45
Litzinger on Smith: “Having Chris in our program will elevate an already improving distance/IM group. He knows how to win, is versatile in event structure, and ready to take his game up to the next level. Chris is a great fit for our program and I am looking forward to having him as a part of our future.”
San Diego, CA
University High School Fly/Back
Pacific Swim Major: Undecided
Coach-Dan Peck Parents: Francisco & Gabriela Santana
- California State High School Runner Up in the 100 Fly
- CIF-SDS Division II Champion in the 100 Fly and 100 Back
- 10th Place in the Summer USA Swimming Junior National Championships 100 and 200 Fly
Best Times: 50 Free: 20.87 100 Fly: 48.20 200 Fly: 1:47.58 100 Back: 49.18
Litzinger on Santana: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Brendan in our program. He comes from a great family, and is ready made to step into our program. Having put up some personal bests already this Fall, he will be the perfect fit for our stroke group. Brendan, along with Matt Grauslys, Jack Montesi, Soren Holm and Justin Plaschka will add to an already formidable fly group.”
Sadler McKeen
Birmingham, AL
Briarwood Christian School Freestyle
Life Time Swim Team Southeast Major: Undecided
Coach-Chaz Carter Parents: Scott & Alison McKeen
- 2016 Alabama State High School Champion 200 and 500 Freestyle
- 2016 Speedo Champions Series Runner Up in the 400 and 1500 Meter Freestyle
- USA Swimming Scholastic All American
Best Times: 200 Free: 1:40.26 500 Free: 4:29.54 1650 Free: 15:39.83
Litzinger on McKeen: “Sadler will arrive at Notre Dame and slide right into our Distance Program. He has unlimited growth and is improving rapidly. I love his attitude and willingness to be a team player. We are excited to welcome Sadler and his family to Notre Dame.”
News courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics.