Canadian swimmer Laura Johnston has verbally committed to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
Johnston, who swims for the Etibicoke Swim Club in Etibicoke, Ontario under head coach Kevin Thorburn took 16th in the 1500 free in this April’s Canadian Swimming Trials. She swam a long course time of 17:42.52, not quite hitting her personal best 17:28.53. Here are her best times (in short course meters):
- 200 FR (SCM): 2:05.32
- 400 FR (SCM): 4:21.66
- 800 FR (SCM): 8:58.60
- 1500 FR (SCM): 17.00.28
To give an adequate comparison, since American NCAA meets run in short course yards, her 200 free time converts to a 1:52.90.
Johnston is also a member of the Canadian age group record record-holding short course 800m relay. The girls’ 13-14 record, an 8:22.32 set alongside Etobicoke Swim Club teammates Olivia Anderson, Stephanie MacDonald, and Melanya Zaraska, has stood strong since 2012.
The Cincinnati women’s team, coached by Mandy Commons-DiSalle, finished fifth in the American Athletic Conference last season. Johnston should easily slide onto the Cincinnati 800 free relay; the splits at AAC Championships last year ranged from 1:46.02 to 1:54.83. In addition Johnston will be able to fill a hole in the Bearcat distance program, as top Bearcat distance swimmer Taylor Myszka graduates this May.