High school junior David King from Crozet, Virginia, has made the decision to remain in-state for his collegiate career and has given a verbal commitment to the University of Virginia. An avid Philadelphia sports fan, he will have to continue to cheer for the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, et alia from afar. He told SwimSwam:
“I believe that UVA is a school that has both amazing athletics and academics. Additionally, I have always been impressed by the positive energy and atmosphere that the team and coaches have created on and off the pool deck.”
King, no relation to Matt King, who was on the Cavaliers’ roster through the middle of the 2022-23 season, swims for Albemarle High School and the club team Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family YMCA. He played basketball and baseball, in addition to swimming, through the age of 14, when he began to focus solely on the pool.
King has had a tremendous spring, beginning with individual wins in the 500 free (4:24.10) and 100 back (49.68) at the 2023 Virginia High School Class 5 State Championships. He also anchored the winning 400 free relay (45.50) and led off the runner-up 200 medley relay (22.96 backstroke). Two weeks later, he won the 200 free (1:36.63), 500 free (4:21.24), 1650 free (15:02.76), and 200 IM (1:50.21), and was runner-up in the 200 back (1:45.50) and 400 IM (3:52.23), at the Virginia LSC Short Course State Championships. Finally, in April, he competed at the 2023 YMCA National Short Course Championships and came home with gold medals in the 500 free (4:22.37) and 400 IM (3:48.56) and silvers in the 1650 free (15:34.70) and 200 back (1:42.89).
Best SCY times:
- 200 back – 1:42.89
- 100 back – 47.24
- 400 IM – 3:48.56
- 200 IM – 1:50.21
- 1650 free – 15:02.76
- 500 free – 4:21.24
- 200 free – 1:36.63
King will be in the Cavs’ class of 2028 with Spencer Nicholas, Alex Ayers, Dillon Wright, and Harry Belcher. He’ll overlap a year with UVA’s top 200 backstroke Jack Aikins, and two with Braeden Haughey. He would have been the fastest miler on the roster by 7 seconds this past season and would have ranked in the top-3 of the 500 free.
King has been drumming since he was 5 years old. PSA to his future roommate: You might want to invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones.
those are some dirty times.
A very intriguing prospect.
47.2/1:42.8 backstroker is legit with potential in 200/500 and maybe 4 IM
Oh boy he’s going to make an impact!