Somerset Valley YMCA’s co-captain Ryan Waters has verbally committed to the United States Naval Academy for 2017-18. Waters is a senior at Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, New Jersey. He is the New Jersey state champion in the 500 free, having won the event in 4:32.76 at the 2016 NJSIAA Boys Swimming Meet of Champions. He finished third in the 200 free with 1:41.65.
According to his coach, Dan Roth, “Waters is a key member of SVY’s distance team, with multiple top-8 finishes at YMCA Nationals in both the 800/1000 and 1500/1650 freestyles. He is an AT&T Winter Nationals qualifier in both events; however it is his developed versatility across multiple distances and events that will prove useful at the collegiate level.”
Waters competed in the 200/500/1650 freestyles at the 2015 Speedo Winter Junior Nationals East last December, finishing as high as 18th in the mile. He was 4th in the 1650, 6th in the 1000, and 10th in the 500 at the 2016 YMCA Short Course Nationals, and 5th in the 800/1500 and 9th in the 400/200 freestyles at 2016 YMPC Long Course Nationals. His best times are:
- 1650/1500 FR = 15:26.93 SC/15:59.32 LC
- 1000/800 FR = 9:11.43 SC/8:20.36 LC
- 500/400 FR = 4:29.40 SC/4:02.50 LC
- 200 FR = 1:39.73/1:54.63 LC
- 100 FR = 47.01/55.08 LC
- 400 IM = 3:57.75 SC/4:44.35 LC
“It takes a special type of kid to make a commitment to an academy, and Ryan fits that mold perfectly with his work ethic and his leadership skills. We are thrilled to watch such a promising young man commit to serving our country, and are excited to for his future at Navy and beyond.”
-Dan Roth, Director of Competitive Aquatics, SOMERSET VALLEY YMCA
Waters will join the Navy class of 2021 will fellow commits Cole Cooper, Jack Dunworth, Luke Johnson, and Timothy Verby.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected]
Congratulations Ryan!
Beat Army!
Congratulations Ryan! Your years of hard work have paid off!