Megan Allison of South Aiken High School and the Aiken-Augusta Swim League in Aiken, South Carolina has verbally committed to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County for the 2016-2017 season.
Just last month at South Carolina 4A State High School Swimming Championships, Allison was the runner up in two events: the 200 medley relay, where she teamed up with Naomi Buck, Audrey Robinson, and Emily Chafin for a 1:48.83 (Allison’s backstroke split was a 27.78), and the 100 free, where she clocked 53.04. She also took sixth in the 100 backstroke in 59.66. Here are her fastest times in SCY:
- 50 FR: 24.17
- 100 FR: 52.82
- 200 FR: 1:57.94
- 500 FR: 5:13.52
- 100 BK: 57.92
- 200 BK: 2:10.58
- 100 BR: 1:05.75
- 200 BR: 2:23.54
- 200 IM: 2:10.83
Last season, under the leadership of coach Chad Cradock, the Retrievers edged out the University of New Hampshire by 14 points to win the America East Swim and Dive Championship. Allison will definitely prove an asset to the UMBC team; last season she would have qualified for the consolation finals in the 50 and 100 free, the 100 and 200 breast, the 100 and 200 back, and the 200 IM. Her versatility makes her a major commit for this team, one who could fill a variety of roles in the coming years.
Allison may find herself swimming the on the ‘A’ 400 free relay next year for the Retrievers; last season’s swimmers split from 52.02 to 53.51, well within her range. She may even be a contender for a coveted spot on the 400 medley relay, where her 100 backstroke time falls just tenths off the split then-sophomore Lauren Day swam last season.
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to continue my swimming career in college,” she said. “UMBC has the academics that I was looking for and a great math and science department, along with a great team and coaches. I fell in love with the campus and I felt at home there. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me. Go Retrievers! ”
Welcome to a great program with a tradition of excelling!!