Distance Swimmer Frank Runge Commits to Division II McKendree

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Frank Runge from Bradenton, Florida has announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at Division II McKendree University beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. 

“I chose McKendree because of the outstanding coaching staff and the uplifting team environment. Go Bearcats!!”

Runge swims for the Sarasota Tsunami Swim Team out of Sarasota, FL. In March 2021, he earned numerous best times at the Florida Senior Championships. Those times included the 500 (4:33.50), 1000 (9:26.75), and 1650 (16:05.82) freestyles, 200 butterfly (1:55.90), and 400 IM (4:06.29). 

He continued his success into the summer and earned best times in all of the events he competed in at Futures in Huntsville. Those times included the 400 (4:08.76), 800 (8:39.52), and 1500 (16:45.90) freestyles as well as the 400 IM (4:46.52). He also earned a 22nd place finish in the 800 freestyle and a 26th place finish in the 1500 freestyle.

He is in his senior year at Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, FL. In November 2021, he swam at the Florida 4A (big schools) High School State Championships. There he earned an 11th place finish in the 500 freestyle and a 12th place finish in the 200 freestyle. He also was a team captain this past season for the team.

His best short course yards times are:

• 200 freestyle: 1:41.81
• 500 freestyle: 4:33.50
• 1000 freestyle: 9:26.75
• 1650 freestyle: 16:05.82
• 400 IM: 4:06.29

McKendree University is a private university located in Lebanon, Illinois. The school is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). 

The team finished fifth out of ten teams at the 2021 GLVC Championships. Based on his best times, he has the potential to be an immediate points scorer for the team. His times would have earned him a top 16 finish in the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyles as well as a top 24 finish in the 400 IM. 

McKendree lost their highest points scorer at both the conference and national levels, Fabio Dalu, as he transferred to Ohio State this year. Dalu’s strongest events are the same as Runge’s. Runge will try to help fill some of the gap in the distance events at the conference level.

Runge will arrive on campus in fall 2022 as a member of the class of 2026 along with Harrison Miller, Ian Garwold, Caden Brooks, Kadence Griffin, Colin Gibson, and Preston Troyer.

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