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Top-Rated High School Junior Maxime Rooney Verbally Commits to Florida Gators

High school junior Maxime Rooney has rung a significant early bell for the recruiting class of 2016 by verbally committing to the Florida Gators.

This makes him one of the earliest commitments in memory of high school swimming.

“I’ve had a chance to research and visit some of my top schools and found that Florida had exactly what I needed for my swimming as well as my academic future,” Rooney said of the early timeline for the decision.

This decision is just a verbal one and is non-binding, as contact is very limited for current high school juniors until July, 2015.

While we haven’t yet put out our class of 2016 rankings, there’s no doubt in our minds that the National Age Group Record holder Rooney will be in the top 5, and he will be in contention for #1 overall as well. CollegeSwimming.com currently has Rooney ranked #1 in their early rankings.

Rooney’s best times in yards:

  • 50 free – 21.05
  • 100 free – 44.17
  • 200 free – 1:34.57
  • 500 free – 4:20.60
  • 1000 free – 9:14.70
  • 1650 free – 15:26.20
  • 100 back – 49.85
  • 200 back – 1:44.79
  • 100 fly – 48.32
  • 200 fly – 1:48.02
  • 200 IM – 1:48.80
  • 400 IM – 3:55.50

Rooney cited the combination of swimming and educational programs that “I’ve been looking for” when discussing his decision and also said that Florida “offers a community where I see myself thriving.”

Rooney is currently the National Age Group Record holder for 15-16’s in the 200 yard free (1:34.57) and previously held other records that have since been broken. He’s already within reach of NCAA scoring level in the 200 free individually, before even reaching his junior-year high school taper meet. Florida placed 2nd at last year’s NCAA Championship meet in the 800 free relay.

Rooney swims for Granada High School and the Pleasanton Seahawks.

Rooney won’t be able to officially sign his National Letter of Intent until the fall.

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Varsity Swimmer
9 years ago

Wow! Don’t write the Gators off just yet!

FATMAN
9 years ago

A great swimmer and even greater person. Florida is lucky to get such a sweet kid. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Maxime race since he was a just small fry, what a special talent. I only wish you had chosen Cal so I continue to watch you swim!

Josh Davis
9 years ago

No one would fault you for switching to Texas:) Just joking…You’ll be awesome wherever you go! Congrats!!!!

swimfan210_
Reply to  Josh Davis
4 years ago

This comment (sort of) called the future

gator
9 years ago

wow – huge early commit for Gators

Don
9 years ago

Shields committed to USC as a junior , then changed his mind senior year and chose Cal.

9 years ago

He’s got a shot at top 6 at OT in 200m free… good place to go for him I think.

Varsity Swimmer
Reply to  Hulk Swim
9 years ago

Who knows? He could develop into a BEAST!!!

bobo gigi
9 years ago

Next 200 free US star.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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