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Backstroke and IM specialist Ethan Bathala will head to Duke University in the fall of 2026 to swim for the Blue Devils. Bathala attends the Bolles School in Florida, where he trains with the Bolles School Sharks.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to announce my verbal commitment to Duke University. I want to thank my family, friends, coaches, and everyone who has supported me along this journey. I also want to extend a huge thank you to Coach Brian and all the Duke coaches for giving me this opportunity. GO BLUE DEVILS🔵 😈!!!”
Bathala was a finalist in the 100 back at the 2024 FHSAA Class 1A State Championships (SCY), posting a time of 49.82 to place 3rd. His prelims time of 49.73 was a personal best. Bolles swept the top four spots in the event, demonstrating their strength in backstroke.
Most recently, Bathala competed at the 2024 Speedo Winter Junior Championships – East, where he set SCY personal bests in the 100 back (48.92), 200 back (1:46.13), 200 IM (1:51.11), and 400 IM (4:01.83). All of these times qualify him for the 2025 Futures Championship in Ocala. His 200 back time earned him a second swim, where he posted a 1:49.77 to place 24th.
Class 1A includes Florida’s smallest high schools, both private and public, but it also features some of the state’s fastest programs, such as Bolles.
Top SCY Times
- 100 Back – 48.92
- 200 Back – 1:46.13
- 200 IM – 1:51.11
- 400 IM – 4:01.83
Duke’s men’s team finished 10th out of 11 at the ACC Championships last season, maintaining the same ranking as the previous year. With another year to improve, Bathala could play a role in strengthening Duke’s backstroke group. His 200 back time would have ranked just behind senior Michael Jiang (1:43.83) and sophomore Jacob Hills (1:44.93) from last season. Jiang also posted Duke’s fastest 100 back time (47.85) last year.
Bathala and his Bolles teammate Charlie Zuhoski will both arrive at Duke in the fall of 2026. Sam Hennenfent and Rawlings Leachman are also part of the Blue Devils’ 2026 recruiting class. Zuhoski excels in the 100 back (49.83) and 200 IM (1:50.73) as well, while Hennenfent is strong in the 400 IM (3:57.48). Leachman shows great potential for Duke’s backstroke and IM groups, with times of 48.62 in the 100 back, 1:47.66 in the 200 back, and 1:48.82 in the 200 IM.
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“ It also features some of the state’s fastest programs, such as Bolles.” I think he meant to say national’s fastest program, Bolles..since there’s not even a close competition in Florida when it comes to states high schools.
I can tell this guy is hungry and ticklish.
This is the ticklish guy?
“Beans Beans the magical fruit. The more you eat the more you poop.” Congrats Chunky!
This guy runs on crumbl cookies and honey packs.
Go Ethan!