Alex Pampalone, who had the top 17-18 800 freestyle in New Zealand this past year, has committed to West Virginia University. Pampalone’s best events are distance free, but she could also contribute to the Mountaineers in IM and Backstroke:
- 800 free 8:47.71 SCM (9:51.27 SCY)
- 400 free- best time: 4:18.81 SCM (4:49.87 SCY)
- 1500 free: 17.11.95 SCM (17:09-43 SCY)
- 200IM: 2:18.55 SCM (2:04.81)
- 200BK: 2:14.79 SCM (2:01.43)
That 500 freestyle could make a huge difference for West Virginia, as it would have placed her firmly near the top of last year’s A Final at the Big 12 Conference Championship. Her 1650 freestyle and 200 backstroke are also potential scoring swims. Pampalone is one of the top distance swimmers regardless of age group in New Zealand, having finished third at the most recent short course championships in the 800 free.
I’m really excited to finally meet the team when I come over to WVU next fall! Because I’ll be such a long way from home, it’s been really comforting knowing how welcoming all my teamates and coaches have been. Everyone is awesome and I feel so lucky to be able to be part of the team at WVU.
While conversions from other courses can always be inexact, Pampalone would have been right around the best on West Virginia’s team last year, and with steady improvement she could start to take a look at NCAA qualification in a few years. West Virginia is brimming with optimism at the moment with the recent announcement of a brand new 25 million dollar aquatics and track facility at Mylan Park, to open in fall 2017.
West Virgina?