Irish Jr. Recordholder Paddy Johnston Commits to Cleveland State for 2021-22

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Patrick “Paddy” Johnston, who hails from Belfast, Ireland, is joining the Cleveland State University Vikings for the 2021-22 school year.

Johnston trains year-round with Ards Swimming Club and represents Ireland internationally. He was named to the Irish squad that competed at LEN European Aquatics Championships in May, where he swam the 50 fly (24.62) and finished 54th in prelims. In 2019 he competed in the 100/200 fly and 200 back at European Short Course Championships and in 2018 he was a relay swimmer for Ireland at European Junior Championships.

In December 2019, he broke the Irish Junior Record and Ulster Senior Record in the SCM 200 fly with 1.58.96.

At the 2021 Irish National Team Trials, Johnston won the 200m fly (1:58.81) and was runner-up in the 100m fly (53.32). He also swam the 100m back and came in third in prelims (55.58). All three times were lifetime bests. In July he added another pair of PBs in the 50m back (25.79) and 50m fly (24.55) at Irish Summer Meet.

Best LCM times (converted):

• 50 fly – 24.55 (21.48)
• 100 fly – 53.32 (46.77)
• 200 fly – 1:58.81 (1:44.51)
• 50 back – 25.79 (22.69)
• 100 back – 55.58 (48.99)

Johnston will join a butterfly group headed by Australian Bob Fick, who as a freshman won the 200 fly and was third in the 100 fly at the 2021 Horizon League Championships, and Colin Martin, who as a sophomore last season was runner-up in the 100 fly (47.72) and was the butterflyer on the CSU relays. He will also have sophomore Kenny Thomas in the backstroke. Thomas placed fifth in the 100 back at conference.

He will be in the class of 2025 with Jackson Nester and Josh Merchbaker. His best times would have won the 100 fly and 200 fly and would have scored in the A final of the 100 back.

ICYMI: Incomer Paddy Johnston selected to compete for Ireland 🇮🇪 In Budapest!

Next stop on his international tour? 📍Coming home to the ‘land to represent the Vikes in the fall! We’ve got our 👀 on the #Horizon #OneTeamOneFamily pic.twitter.com/LUracTkECI

— CSU Swim & Dive (@CSU_SwimDive) May 14, 2021

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