Dayton Raiders’ Tommy Cope Commits to Michigan Men

Tommy Cope of the Dayton Raiders has verbally committed to cross state lines and swim for the Michigan Wolverines.

Cope is a swimmer perfectly positioned to succeed in Mike Bottom’s program, and the type of swimmer around which Bottom has built his perennial powerhouse club. In a word, Cope has speed, and that speed comes across a number of different strokes – not bound by the typical limits of stroke combinations.

His best times in yards:

• 50 free – 21.14
• 100 free – 45.35
• 200 free – 1:37.48
• 100 back – 52.30
• 100 breast – 54.74
• 200 breast – 1:59.55
• 100 fly – 49.65
• 200 IM – 1:47.93
• 400 IM – 3:53.54

It’s rare for a swimmer coming out of their junior year of high school to go under 50 in the 100 fly, under 55 in the 100 breast, and under :46 in the 100 free. Michigan, however, has had those types of swimmers on their roster the last few years (including notably the Ortiz brothers, Bruno and Miguel, who have both since completed their eligibility.)

Adding a 1:47 200 IM isn’t unexpected given his partials, and the 1:37 200 free is a nice bonus on top that will make Cope a core piece for the Wolverines over the next four years.

Cope, for all of his versatility and talents, happened to run up against a phenomenal senior class at last year’s Ohio Division I State Championship meet: he lost to current Florida freshman Ross Palazzo and a state record in the 100 breast; then again finished behind a state record from Penn freshman Mark Andrew and Palazzo again in the 200 IM. He’ll be a heavy favorite to win both events for Butler High School at this year’s meet, however.

Michigan is graduating a big class at the end of this season (11), but have already begun building a big class to replace them. Other commitments so far this fall:

• Charlie Swanson
• Jacob Montague
• Jake Herremans
• James Jones
• Robert Zofchak