Breaststroker Hanna McGowan has verbally committed to New Mexico State, giving the Aggies their biggest freshman commitment so far in the class of 2015, despite being a second-semester commitment.
McGowan’s best times, in yards:
- 100 breast – 1:04.93
- 200 breast – 2:23.88
McGowan, along with fall signee Lauren Wood (1:05.18/2:18.11), should immediately take over a New Mexico State breaststroke group that has historically been very good, but who graduated their only sub-1:05 breaststroker from last season – Jessica Legge, who was 1:01.74.
McGowan is somewhat of a late bloomer, especially in the breaststrokes, and her decision to wait until the spring paid off (both for her and New Mexico State). Coming into her senior season, her best time in the 100 was a 1:06.27, and she improved that by almost a second-and-a-half at 18-years old.
She swims for Shawnee Heights High School and the Topeka Swim Association in Kansas, and is the defending Kansas 5A (small school) State Champion in the 100 breaststroke. Kansas doesn’t swim their State Championship meet until May, so she will have a chance to repeat still as a senior. McGowan will hope for a smoother run-up than last year, where a misplaced flipturn gashed her foot open a week before the State Championship meet, requiring 7 stitches.
AWESOME! Congratulations Rick Pratt! This is a great signee!