Taylor Dale
Taylor Dale is a backstroke and butterfly specialist at the University of Georgia. Dale was an in-state pick-up for Georgia after he made the U.S. National Junior Team and swam at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. Born Dec. 29, 1994 to Gary and Nancy Dale attended Dalton High School where he was a six-time All-American. Dale was coached by Charles Todd at both his high school and on the Carpet Capital Aquatics Club, which helped his schedule when it came to high school swim season. Dale is currently a sophomore at the University of Georgia, and he’s chosen to major in Exercise Science. Alabama was originally at the top of Dale’s list, but he knew Georgia was the perfect fit once he visited the school. Coming into Georgia Dale graduated high school with honors and was a Scholar All-American, and he followed suit in university classes. As a freshman he was chosen as a Scholar All-American by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America and was named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Although he’s primarily a backstroke and butterfly swimmer, when he was recruited Dale had potential to be a leg on the sprint relays as he’s also a good 50 swimmer. At his first NCAA Championship meet he was put on both the medley relays, and finished as an all-American.
University of Georgia
2013-2014
As a freshman Dale swam well at the SEC Championships. He finished second in the 100 backstroke and he won the ‘C’ final in both the 200 backstroke and 100 butterfly. As a member of the 200 and 400 medley relays, he helped the team finish second at SEC’s. He then moved on to his first-ever NCAA Championship – he finished 13th in the 100 backstroke and was a member of both medley relays, which finished in the top eight earning him All-America honors. He was named to the Second-Team All-SEC and also to the All-SEC Freshman Team.
2014-2015
Dale is currently in his sophomore year at the University of Georgia. He finished 28th in the 100 butterfly, third in the 100 backstroke, 20th in the 50 freestyle, swam the backstroke leg on the 400 medley relay and 200 medley and was the third leg on the 200 freestyle relay.
National Competition
After winning the 100m backstroke at the 2012 U.S. Junior National Championships Dale was named to the 2012-2013 U.S. National Junior Team, and made the 2013-2014 team the following season too.
In high school Dale was a six-time All-American and qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials – he finished 84th in the 100m backstroke.