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Madi Mintenko from Colorado Springs, Colorado has announced her commitment to continue her academic and athletic careers at Virginia beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Virginia. I want to thank my family, friends, and teammates for their incredible support. Thank you to the @uvaswimdive coaches for believing in me. I also want to thank the numerous coaches and programs I have been able to get to know during the recruiting process. A special thanks to George and Anna Heidinger at @pikespeakath for creating an environment that myself and others can thrive in. GO HOOS💙🧡⚔️”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyi4vu6xOt5/?img_index=1
The junior at Pine Creek High School had a huge summer highlighted by a win in the 200 freestyle at Summer Juniors in August as she swam a personal best time of 1:58.07. That time moved her up to #7 all time in the 15-16 age group and also was a new Summer Juniors meet record.
Notably ahead of Mintenko in the 15-16 age group are Claire Weinstein and Alex Shackell, both whom are also members of the class of 2025. Shackell and Weinstein committed to Cal about a month ago.
At Summer Juniors, Mintenko also swam personal best times in the 100 free (55.34) and 200 IM (2:19.79). Notably her 100 free was second behind Bailey Hartman who is committed to Virginia for fall 2024.
Mintenko went on to represent the US at World Juniors at the beginning of September. She anchored the US 4×200 free relay in a 1:57.45 securing the gold. Individually, she was second in the 400 free in a personal best of 4:08.06.
Mintenko’s best SCY times are:
- 100 free: 48.02
- 200 free: 1:43.92
- 500 free: 4:39.24
- 1650 free: 16:19.47
Mintenko already has the potential to make an impact at the conference and NCAA level. Mintenko’s best time in the 500 free would have already made the NCAA ‘A’ final as it would have been 8th in both prelims and finals. In addition, her best time in the 200 freestyle already would have made the NCAA ‘B’ final this past year and is only 0.02 seconds off of what it took to make the ‘A’ final.
It took a 47.99 to make the NCAA ‘B’ final in the 100 free, which Mintenko is just off of with her personal best of a 47.99. Mintenko will also be a huge addition to the Virginia relays. All of Virginia’s splits in the 800 freestyle this past season were sub-1:43.5. That relay went on to win by almost a second.
Mintenko is the second top 20 recruit to commit to Virginia for the class of 2025. Earlier this week, #8 Raya Mellott committed to Virginia as well. BOTR Lily Gormsen has also committed to arrive in fall 2025.
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lol why am i just finding out that her mom is Olympian Lindsay (Benko) Mintenko and she now the managing director of the national team whattttt
Virginia is unstoppable!
Congratulations Madi!!!
Let’s Go Hoos!
Sylvia Roy, another BOTR fly and sprint free specialist, from Pittsburgh, is also committed.
Sylvia Roy (@sylviaroy19) • Instagram photos and videos
lol someone replied to one of my comments and said that UVA peaked last year put with all these commitments, I’m afraid it’s just the beginning.
https://staging.swimswam.com/jasmine-nocentini-on-training-with-uva-the-team-has-a-very-very-positive-energy/#comment-1272904
Now about the UVA men…
Just wait, the UVA men might surprise you soon
The UVA men have already given plenty of surprises, but none of them good
UVA men are about to shock the whole swimming world…
we will have our second sister duo in the DeSorbo era to be coming through with the gormsens, and the men have had the fongs… if only we could have another male sibling duo…
Seems pretty likely that that’s what the Instagram post was hinting at. Question is, who follows him there?
Could be similar to what Marsh and Durden are building with the Cal women’s team, and the UVa men and Cal women have been comparable the past few seasons at NCAAs.
Sometimes it takes just one recruit to build momentum. Will it be like Shackell and Weinstein (and perhaps O’Dell)? Guess we’ll see.
Heilman and Williamson, huh?
Maybe throw in Howat and Browne, for good measure?
i highly doubt that lol
Now you about to look stupid
Dynasty!!!! Lets goooo. Great Choice