The recruiting battle in the state of Virginia, which is loaded with high-level club teams, has really started to heat up this fall. The latest commitment comes from Andrew Branin of NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, who has committed to Virginia Tech.
Branin is primarily a breaststroker, with yards bests of 56.8 and 2:07.3 in the 100 and the 200; as well as a sprint freestyler, with yards bests of 21.04 and 47.35.
The Virginia Tech men are on a roll in the pool early this season, with dual meet wins already over North Carolina State and North Carolina, and as the early signing period approaches, those wins should help them close some recruits.
The breaststrokes are probably where the Hokies need the most help, too, after this year’s senior class that includes Emmett Dignan graduates. Branin will have to keep developing to be that guy, but he’s at least in the right spot, and seems to have the right kind of athleticism, given his success in the sprint frees, to really get his sprint breaststroke times down.