Louisville’s Morgan Friesen will take advantage of the NCAA waiver that awards all athletes who competed in the 2020-2021 collegiate season an extra year of eligibility because of the complications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Friesen will be joining a quartet of Louisville men using 5th year eligibility for the the 2021-2022 season.
Friesen is a breaststroker for Louisville, who has qualified individually for NCAAs during each of her 4 seasons with the Cardinals. Last year, Friesen posted a 10th-place finish in the 200 breast at ACCs, and a 12th-place finish in the 100 breast. While her times were consistent with her previous seasons, Friesen’s placing at the 2021 ACC Champs was her worst of any of her 4 seasons. In each of the prior 3 seasons, Friesen was an A finalist in both breaststroke events at ACCs. Her highest placing was 3rd in the 200 breast at the 2019 ACC Champs, when she was a sophomore.
Friesen’s highest individual placement at NCAAs came in her freshmen year, when she took 18th in the 200 breast. She finished 21st in the 200 breast at the 2019 NCAAs, and 27th in 2021. Here are Friesen’s SCY lifetime bests times:
- 100 breast – 59.62
- 200 breast – 2:07.24
- 200 IM – 2:01.78
Friesen’s return is huge for Louisville’s breaststroke squad, as Mariia Astashkina will also be returning to the Cardinals this season, after not competing last year. Astashkina has also qualified individually for NCAAs in each of her seasons at Louisville, qualifying for 2 NCAA B finals as well.
In October 2020, the NCAA granted all winter sport athletes the option to use an extra year of eligibility following complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. Under normal circumstances, Division I student-athletes have a 5-year window during which they can use up their four seasons of eligibility. However, given the current situation with COVID-19, student-athletes of all class years have been offered an additional season of eligibility, regardless of where they are in their 5-year window. For a detailed breakdown on what the stakes are surrounding a 5th-year decision in 2021, click here.