Tufts University will welcome Joseph Kim of Jacksonville, Florida and Serena Derderian from Avondale, Pennsylvania into the class of 2022 next fall.
Joseph Kim
“Incredibly excited to announce my verbal commitment to Tufts University to continue my academic and swimming career. Thanks to my friends, family, and to Coach Zubero and Coach Wise; in addition to Coach Shoulberg, Lear, and Boland. Go Jumbos!”
Kim swims for head coach Martin Zubero at Episcopal Amberjax, where he specializes in distance freestyle and IM. As a Bolles School junior he placed ninth in the 200 IM (1:54.85) and 12th in the 500 free (4:40.05) at the 2016 FHSAA Class 1A State Championship. This fall he did not participate at the Florida high school state meet, but did earn new PBs in the 50 and 200 free in club swimming. At Winter Juniors East he competed in the 1650 free, 200 back, and 400 IM and time-trialed the 100 back and 200 IM, earning a PB in the latter.
Kim will be an immediate impact player for the Jumbos. His 1000 free time would have scored 3rd at 2017 NESCAC Men’s Championships, Tufts’ best performance in the event by over 13 seconds. He would have been 8th in the 1650, an A-finalist in the 200/400 IM, and a B-finalist in the 200/500 free, 200 back, and 200 breast.
Top SCY times:
- 1650 free – 16:18.04
- 1000 free – 9:25.28
- 500 free – 4:40.05
- 200 free – 1:42.92
- 200 breast – 2:07.49
- 200 back – 1:52.12
- 200 IM – 1:53.91
- 400 IM – 4:02.52
Serena Derderian
“I officially verbally committed to Tufts University and will taking part in the national signing day. I look forward to the rigorous academics and fostering environment that the institution has to offer. I’m excited to join a team full of kind and energetic athletes! #GoBos!”
Derderian, a senior at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, Pennsylvania, swims year-round for Delaware Swim Team and specializes mainly in sprint freestyle. She placed 17th in the 200 free (1:52.99) at the 2017 PIAA Girls’ AAA Swimming and Diving Championships. In club swimming she competed in the LCM 50/100/200 free at 2017 USA Swimming Futures Championships in Geneva, Ohio this summer.
Derderian is a nice pick-up for Tufts. She would have been the lone Jumbo in the A final of the 50 free, 100 free, and 200 free at 2017 Women’s NESCACs, and she would have scored in the B finals of the 500 free and 400 IM.
Top SCY times:
- 50 free – 23.61
- 100 free – 51.75
- 200 free – 1:52.99
- 500 free – 5:06.05
- 400 IM – 4:38.98
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