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Kaan Akdaǧ, a Turkish swimmer and national championships finalist in distance free, has committed to Drexel University.
“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic journey at Drexel University! I am thankful to my family, my coaches and my friends, that were always there for me. I would also like to thank coach Nathan and Kara for this opportunity. I AM A DRAGON!!!🐲”
Akdaǧ swims for Fenerbahçe Sports Club, one of the country’s top multi-sport clubs. He’s a versatile freestyler, having finished 4th in the 1500 free at the 2021 Turkcell Turkish Youth Junior and Open Nationals, as well as 2nd in the 200 free, 3rd in the 400 free, and 6th in the 100 free at the National Team Selection in January 2021.
More recently, he finished 12th in the 400 free at the 2022 Arena Turkish Winter Nationals with a time of 3:56.50. He scored even better in the event at the Arena Turkish Open Age and Juniors Championships in July, where he placed 5th in the 400, 11th in the 200, and 6th in the 800.
Best short-course meters times (SCY conversion):
- 200 free: 1:51.47 (1:40.42)
- 400 free: 3:56.50 (4:30.28 500y)
- 1500 free: 15:53.69 (15:48.00 1650y)
Drexel is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. At the 2022 Men’s CAA Swimming and Diving Championships, Drexel placed 4th out of 5 teams. With his best times converted into SCY events, Akdaǧ would’ve placed 5th in the 1650 and in the 500, times that showcase his scoring potential even before he arrives at the school in the fall of 2023.
In general, Akdaǧ has the potential to be the top distance swimmer at Drexel. So far this season, the university’s top 500 freestyler is freshman Devin Bauman, who has a time of 4:32.40 from November. Close behind Bauman is freshman Andrea Casini, with a time of 4:32.57. Both of those times are the 6th- and 7th-fastest in the conference, respectively. When Akdaǧ arrives, he’ll join a young distance program that will have time to mature to compete with universities like Towson and Delaware, who currently occupy the higher spots on the top times list.
Akdaǧ will also have a good training partner for the 1650 in Bauman, who has the conference’s fastest time this season with a 15:47.35. Bauman is the only swimmer closest to Akdaǧ’s best time on the team, but the two will help prop up Drexel with the points they could accumulate at conference championships.
Akdaǧ joins breaststroker Justin Sere for the class of 2027.
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