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High school junior Jane Koch has verbally committed to swim at the University of South Carolina beginning in the fall of 2023. Koch is a Columbia, South Carolina native, who trains with Palmetto Aquatics and Dreher High School, which is located just two miles from her future college campus.
At the most recent South Carolina High School State Championship meet, Koch finished 3rd in the 50 free and 4th in the 100 free in Class 4A, which is the middle of the state’s three public high school classifications by enrollment.
Koch’s best sprint times came in 2020. At that year’s State Championship meet as a sophomore, she was the state champion in the 50 free in a time of 24.13 and finished 5th in the 100 free in 54.14.
Earlier that year, during her freshman season of high school at just 14 years old, she swam a best time of 53.76 in the 100 free that is still her best time two years later.
Best Times in Yards:
- 50 free – 24.13
- 100 free – 53.76
- 200 free – 1:59.80
- 100 fly – 57.72
Koch is very much a project pickup for the Gamecocks – and she’s already showing some potential in the long course season, matching her personal best in the 50 meter free two weeks ago. Her time there was 28.47. She also swam a best time in the 100-meter fly of 1:05.62, a new best time by over a second.
Her commitment is still part of an important narrative for the Gamecocks. Last season, only 8 out of 43 athletes on the women’s swimming & diving roster came from South Carolina. While Jeff Poppell, who is entering his second year leading the Gamecocks, has turned to international signings to rebuild, he is also making a push in-state. Besides Koch, South Carolina has also added one of the state’s top juniors, Delaney Franklin, in the class of 2023.
Poppell is still reaching wide for this class, including to the states of Alabama, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Iowa, but he is also rebuilding relationships within the state. There is some good, young talent coming through the pipeline in the state, including rising junior Hayden Penny, where those relationships could pay off for the Gamecocks.
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Congratulations! Best of luck on you academic and athletic journey! You earned it!
when is it my turn to be a child of nepotism
literally what
This comment doesn’t apply to her committing to UofSC because she’s not a child of nepotism but good question! I hope you figure that out for yourself:)
“Last season, only 8 out of 43 athletes on the women’s swimming & diving roster came from South Carolina.”
Fantastic. Now do the men’s roster…
None of the men last year were from South Carolina.
South Carolina Swimming is on par with being the state of Mississippi
Not even close!
When I read it back, my comment sounds harsher than it was meant to be. I was simply pointing out the lack of South Carolinians on the Gamecocks’ rosters. So even though this athlete may not be entering Columbia as the fastest swimmer on the team, we should be applauding Poppell for signing in-state recruits, something that was not done consistently in previous years. They have done a better job on the women’s side, but if my memory serves me correctly, there were 2 men from c/o 2018 who swam for the cocks, and then you go all the way back to 2014 before you find more. Perhaps once this new staff gets more established the top SC boys will… Read more »
14 years old, she swam a best time of 53.76 in the 100 free that is still her best time two years later.
Not ideal
Parents probably work for the university.
they don’t. she swims for *gamecock aquatics, not palmetto aquatics, which is new team in the area that bought palmetto aquatics. the new team is sponsored by the university.
Get a life instead of criticizing a 16 year old high school kid you loser.
Not criticizing. Was just thinking her parents worked for the school since she lived that close.
Loser.
Do a sliver of research before you comment then loser. You comment on swim websites about high school kids. Get a life.
walk-on’s exist
keep up with her this season and see how she does then you might rethink what you said about how ideal her times are for the university.