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Laurel Blase, a junior at Sequoyah High School in Canton, Georgia, has announced her verbal commitment to the University of Alabama for the 2023-24 school year and beyond.
“The team at the University of Alabama made me feel so welcome and wanted. From the campus, to the team atmosphere, and the coaches, I know I’ve chosen the best place to spend my college career.”
Blase swims year-round with Chattahoochee Gold Swim Club in Woodstock, Georgia, where she specializes in IM, back, and mid-distance freestyle. At the 2021 GHSA 6A State Swimming & Diving Meet last February, she won the 500 free (4:54.00) and placed third in the 200 free (1:50.85). She also led off the 4th-place 200 free relay (24.97) and the 7th-place 400 free relay (53.68).
In club swimming, Blase came in fourth in the 400 IM at Huntsville Futures last summer, notching a PB of 4:56.24 to qualify for Winter US Open. She also finaled in the 200 free (2:05.36 for 25th), 400 free (4:24.51 for 10th), 200 back (24th, 2:21.87 in prelims), and 200 IM (31st). She notched a PB in the 100 back (1:06.54) leading off the GOLD 400 medley relay. In December, Blase competed at Winter Juniors-East in the 200/500 free and 400 IM.
A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and NISCA All-American, her best times include:
- 400 IM – 4:19.20
- 200 IM – 2:03.81
- 50 back – 26.39
- 100 back – 56.71
- 200 back – 2:01.03
- 1000 free – 10:08.37
- 500 free – 4:54.00
- 200 free – 1:50.53
She will join Gaby Van Brunt, Ella Jones, Sydney Blackhurst, and Cadence Vincent in the Crimson Tide’s class of 2027.
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Congrats Laurel! I coached your mom and aunt in Summer League in VA in the 1980’s.