Kate Zimmer of the Missoula Aquatic Club in Montana has verbally committed to swim for LSU.
She’s a classically-versatile sprinter, who has a chance to contribute all across the 100-yard-and-under spectrum in her first season in Baton Rouge. In yards, her best times are:
- 50 free – 23.58
- 100 free – 51.09
- 100 back – 55.66
- 100 fly – 55.62
In the short term, the Tigers will need her more in their butterfly group than they will in their backstroke group. They have some very good butterfliers this year, including Amber Carter, but the group will thin out in a hurry due to some pending graduations. That’s in contrast to the backstroke group, which last year was led by some very talented freshmen
Zimmer will also probably take a crack at both the 200 and 400 yard free relays in her first year with the team. It could work out that she will anchor the medleys as well, especially the 400. There, Amber Carter would swim the fly leg, leaving Zimmer on the anchor, as the Tigers aren’t as strong in the 100 yard free as they are in the 50 yard free.
To approach the level of an individual NCAA qualifier, Zimmer has some work to do, but she is still a very good addition for a team that’s building. She can contribute in a lot of different ways, and after some injuries as a sophomore had big time drops as a junior (for example – she improved her best time in the 100 fly by over a second-and-a-half).
Zimmer is the second-best female recruit from the state of Montana this season, behind Utah commit Jenna Marsh.
Geaux Kate. Braden, Kate didn’t plateau her sophomore year. She was out for nine months with a disabling back injury. She’s a tough tough kid and will be a great additional to LSU.