World Champs Silver Medalist Andrei Minakov Commits to Stanford

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There’s even more to be thankful today in Palo Alto, as Russian teen phenom Andrei Minakov, this summer’s silver medalist in the 100 fly at World Championships, just announced that he’s verbally committed to Stanford University.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5djH7CAC2z/?igshid=2pg0r7oyorwq

It’s official!!! I am absolutely thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to Stanford University❤️🌲 It was my dream since childhood, and I am very happy it’s finally become a reality. I want to express gratitude to my family, friends, and coaches, who have been working with me for many years and especially to Ray Mitchell from Terrapins swim team!
Swim fast, study hard.
GO CARD🌲🌲🌲
#stanford #swimming

This summer, Minakov took on a big schedule, racing at the World Championships, European Junior Championships, and World Junior Championships. He is believed to be the only swimmer that medalled at all 3 of those meets. In spite of almost 2-straight months of championship meets, Minakov captured 6 medals at the European Junior Championships (including 4 golds), 7 medals at the World Junior Championships (including 3 gold), and the silver medal in the 100 fly at the World Championships (in addition to 2 relay medals). Last summer, in 2018, he was also the dominant swimmer of the Youth Olympic Games, winning 6 gold and 1 silver medal.

Minakov trains primarily in Russia, but has also spent time with the Terrapin Swim Team in Concord, CA, not too far from Stanford. He trained for several years under Terrapin coach Ray Mitchell, who Minakov thanked in his announcement.

Minakov was initially was slated to take part in the ISL’s inaugural season, but announced in September that he was forgoing that in order to preserve his NCAA eligibility. He’s the Russian national record holder in the 100 fly, with his time of 50.83 from Worlds.

Best Times in SCY

• 50 free – 20.43
• 100 free – 43.94
• 100 fly – 46.59

Best Times in LCM

• 50 free – 22.77
• 100 free – 48.50
• 50 fly – 23.39
• 100 fly – 50.83

Assuming he’s heading to Stanford in the fall of 2020, as he initially indicated was his plan, Minakov helps cement a monster first recruiting class for Stanford head coach Dan Schemmel. That class already included #11 Ethan Hu, #13 Ethan Dang, #14 Rick Mihm, #16 Preston Forst, #19 Luke Maurer, and Aaron Sequiera. So, even without Minakov, that class had five of the top 20 recruits, and while we didn’t rank Minakov, as we typically don’t rank international swimmers, he’s clearly one of the very top recruits in the class, and is the metaphorical icing on the cake for the Cardinal.

This class should inject some much-needed new life into Stanford’s sprint relays, which have struggled over the past few years, and Minakov will immediately contend for a NCAA title in the 100 fly.

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