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The University of Virginia men’s swimming and diving team has gotten a big jump on the 2015-16 recruiting season, securing verbal commitments from a strong and varied group of athletes. Now the Cavaliers can add two more names to the list: Oklahoma butterfly/freestyle specialist Kyle Ward and Virginia diver Ian “Bryce” Shelton.
Kyle Ward
A senior at Bartlesville High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Ward is an Oklahoma state record holder, a Winter Nationals qualifier, and USA Swimming Scholastic-All American. Ward swims for Phillips 66 Splash Club in Bartlesville.
“UVA is everything I could ask for in a University. Between the amazing coaching staff, academics, and team dynamic it is a perfect atmosphere for success. I look forward to my future as a Cavalier!”
At the 2015 OSSAA Class 6A State Championships, Ward placed second in both the 200 free and 100 fly. Ward feels he has transitioned from a distance freestyler to a free/fly specialist. He proved his point this summer when he finished 20th in the 100m fly at Summer Juniors and broke the 17-18 age group Oklahoma state record in the event.
Ward’s top times are:
- 100 fly LCM – 55.03
- 200 fly LCM – 2:05.14
- 100 fly SCY – 49.56
- 50 free SCY – 21.28
- 200 free SCY – 1:41.86
As for his plans for senior year, Ward said, “My goals include developing more power outside of the water and translating that into the water.”
Ian “Bryce” Shelton
Shelton is a three-time NISCA All-American diver from Falls Church, Virginia. A senior at George C. Marshall High School, Shelton is the two-time defending champion on the 1-meter board at VHSL 5A State Swimming & Diving Championships. He won with 526.60 points as a junior and with 412.35 points as a sophomore. He placed second as a freshman with 445.80 at the 2013 Virginia State AAA Swim & Dive Meet.
Shelton dives for Montgomery Dive Club, where he is coached by Robert Ketrick. He was a semi-finalist in the 16-18 Junior Olympic category in the 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform events at the 2015 USA Diving ATT National Diving Championships.
Ward and Shelton are part of a stellar recruiting class that also includes:
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Congrats from CT!!!
Congrats to these two young men. Better times ahead for the Wahoos.
Agreed. UVA is putting together a nice recruiting class should be able to rebound — though this is also not the ACC of 2005 either. NCState is a legit NATIONAL power now and looks to remain so. And Louisville was and Notre Dame are serious recent additions.