Parlaying off their recent success with Anna Hopkin, the University of Arkansas swimming & diving team has signed British sprinter Emily Barclay for the 2020-2021 season.
The situation parallels that of Anna Hopkin, who arrived at Arkansas to pursue a Masters degree after completing her undergraduate education in England. Specifically, the 23-year old Barclay graduated from Loughborough University, which is where Hopkin is now training after completing her NCAA eligibility this spring.
In 2019, Barclay was the UK’s 2nd-fastest 50 freestyler in long course behind only Hopkin.
Barclay will have 2 years of eligibility in the NCAA, which is the same as Hopkin.
At Arkansas, Hopkin went from a decent sprinter and the top swimmer in Britain’s less-organized BUCS championship system to one of the best yards sprinters in history and an Olympic medal contender under the eye of Arkansas coach Neil Harper. Harper is originally from England.
“I am extremely happy with our recruiting class,” said Harper. “This past year, we were aiming to better our first Top 20 finish at NCAA’s in 30 years. With both our best divers back and only graduating one scoring senior we are confident this could be our best year ever!!”
This year, we have signed swimmers that will contend at the SEC and NCAA Championships. This past year’s team created great chemistry and a culture that our recruits fell in love with. It is an exciting time to be a Razorback, as we continue to work on being the most improved team in the country again.”
Hopkin represented the UK at the 2019 World University Games where she took a bronze medal in the 50 free.
Barclay’s Best Times:
| LCM | SCM | SCY (Converted) | |
| 50 free | 24.94 | 24.46 | 21.74 |
| 100 free | 56.45 | 54.67 | 49.25 |
| 50 fly | 26.83 | 26.67 | 23.54 |
Led by Hopkin, Akransas was seeded to score 49 swimming points at the 2020 NCAA Championship meet before that event was cancelled. That was the 21st-best seed among all teams.
With redshirt junior and 2019 SEC Diver of the Year Brooke Schultz returning next season after sitting out 2019-2020, the Razorbacks are set up for a big run in 2020-2021.
Barclay joins a big class for Arkansas that is scheduled to arrive in the fall of 2019. Others in the class include Isabella Cothern, the fastest recruit out of Arkansas who split 48.9 relay at the Arkansas high school state championship meet this year; Hannah Cech, a 2:04 IMer from Ohio; Bradi Jones, a 1:03/2:18 breaststroker from Alabama; and an elite diver Jordyn Feiwell the best diver out of Indiana this year. Other future Razorbacks arriving in the Fall are Serena Gould, Anna Erivin and Abby Pfeifer from Texas, Lizzy Linartas from Florida and Grayson Payne from Tennessee.
Program on the rise?