USC got a big committment this week out of NOVA’s Blair Carnes, who collegeswimming.com rates as their top recruit out of the state of Virginia.
Carnes is a 1:02/2:10 breaststroker and a 2:04/4:20 IMer who comes out of a club program known for producing strong 200 and above swimmers. That makes a 200 IM/400IM/200 breast lineup a likely bet for championship meets. She joins a strong group of Trojan breaststrokers and will be a key replacement for Jessie Schmitt who graduates this year.
The Trojans will return Kasey Carlson next season as a senior, but will badly need the depth that Carnes will bring the following season. Carnes’ abilities in the 200, which is Carlson’s weaker distance (she usually swims the sprint freestyles instead), will also be very helpful to rounding out a complete team.
Carlson was the 2nd-fastest 100 breaststroker in the country last year, but unfortunately it didn’t happen at NCAA’s and she wound up 10th at the big meet. Aside from her, though, the Trojans will see a total turnover of their breaststroke group as they hand the reins to Carnes and 2012-2013 freshman Brianna Weinstein, as well as Olympic Trials finalist and transfer Andrea Kropp who will begin competing for the Trojans this season.
As recruiting season gets underway, we’re bound to start seeing more frequent commits. Getting early commits is always helpful for schools and coaches because then they know where they stand going into the rest of recruiting season.
That’s a great addition to SC’s lineup, but I’d say a certain Olympic Trials Finalist, Andrea Kropp, is a even ‘Bigger Addition’ this upcoming season to hold the REINS for the next 3 years.
it says on andrea’s twitter that she’s the class of ’15 so she only has 2 years left once blair gets there next year
Congratulations Blair! USC is a great home for breaststrokers! She will be a great addition to their team.
Congratulations to you on USC verbal, Blair! Wishing you much success as part of the Trojan Family! Fight on!
Emily Cameron – Georgia.
(Pss, swimswam already had an article on it yesterday)
Old time coach with old time news.
Be nice guys! We’ve written a toonnn of news lately, so it’s easy to miss stuff.
haha! This Old Dawg got caught up and didn’t see it at all! Egg on my face!