When the Indiana women picked up Kait Flederbach for a one year transfer this summer, it was a stop-gap for the Hoosiers’ biggest weakness in the sprints.
This fall, the Hoosiers have wasted no time bringing in more depth to support that group. Their first big verbal commitment of the fall came from Ali Rockett of the Boyertown Area YMCA and Wilson High School in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
“I’m really excited to be apart of an amazing group of girls at a great swimming program,” Rockett said after committing on Sunday. “I’m really looking forward to working with the entire coaching staff! It’s always been a dream of mine to be a D1 athlete and swim for a top school! I can’t wait to get started at IU!”
Rockett is the Pennsylvania AAA State Championship meet runner-up each of the last two years in the 50 yard free; the 2012 runner-up in the 100 free; and as a junior in 2013 added a bronze in the 100 backstroke.
She has bests of 23.1, 50.7, and 55.0 in those three events, respectively, with both of those freestyle results coming from the state meet her sophomore year. Shortly after that meet, she put up a 26.2 in the long course 50 freestyle as well.
In a pinch, she’s split 25.2 in the 50 back leading off a 200 medley relay, though in at least her freshman year, Indiana will have a ton if depth in the backstrokes between Brooklynn Snodgrass, Justine Ress, Allie Day, and Cynthia Pammett and won’t need Rockett as much there.
On the other hand, Rockett would have likely been on both of Indiana’s sprint free relays last year, so she will have huge value there.
Watch out for this girl – awesome talent!! Tall, mean, and lean !!