Luiz Gustavo Borges, son of one of the greatest swimmers in the history of the University of Michigan Gustavo Borges, has verbally committed to join the University of Michigan swim team next fall.
“I chose Michigan because of the work ethic, the TEAM, and the tradition of excellence,” Borges said. “Can’t wait to get to Ann Arbor and be a part of the MICHIGAN FAMILY. Go Blue!”
His father is a huge part of that tradition of success. He swam at Michigan from 1992-1995, where he was a 10-time NCAA Champion – part of a career that included 4 Olympic medals and a spot in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Now Luiz will look to make his own impact under Bottom. Hailing from the Pinheiros club in Sao Paulo, one of Brazil’s top clubs, Luiz is primarily a sprint freestyler.
Best times, all of which have come in 2016:
|
Event |
SCM |
LCM |
|
50 Free |
22.73 |
23.35 |
|
100 Free |
50.84 |
51.70 |
Pending what developments happen this season (and Bottom is a master at creating top-class sprinters from surprising places), the Wolverines will enter the 2017-2018 season (Luiz Borges’ freshman year) with one of the best sprint duos in the country. Paul Powers at 18.85 was the best in the Big Ten last season, and they bring in as a freshman this year James Jones, one of the best sprinters in the class. He broke 20 seconds in the 50 free in 2014 when he was just 16 years old.
After those two, though, there’s not a ton of depth in this group for the Wolverines, meaning a relay spot should be open for Borges as a freshman.