After a picture of USC’s ‘seniors’ sparked our interest, we were able to confirm with their media relations staff that All-American Cristian Quintero is, in fact, a senior this year in terms of NCAA eligibility, not a junior as he is listed on the team’s roster and results.
Quintero is in his 3rd season at USC, but he has only been granted three years of eligibility by the NCAA, rather than the traditional four. That means that this season will be his swan-song for inter-collegiate competition.
This doesn’t change the fact, though, that Quintero could have a huge meet for the Trojans at NCAA’s. Last year, he was 3rd in the 500 free (4:13.52), 4th in the 200 free (1:33.24), and 14th in the 1650 free (14:55.19). He will enter this year’s NCAA Championship meet as a national title contender at least in those first two events. That’s especially so given that year-over-year, he’s been significantly better this season than last, especially in the shorter races.
Quintero is also a 2012 Olympian for his native Venezuela; was a bronze medalist in three events at the 2011 Pan Am Games; and was 20th at the 2013 World Championships in the 400 free with a 3:52.03.
Note that all eligibility decisions can be appealed and are very convoluted decisions, so they are never to be taken as “100% set in stone” until an athlete signs with an agent and turns pro. The USC athletics department, however, have told us that this will be his ‘senior season.’
WHY was he only granted 3 years?