Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
High school senior Kraig Bray of Flour Bluff High School in Corpus Christi, Texas has verbally committed to the Texas A&M Aggies. Bray was one
Bray was a late-comer to the sport: he didn’t start swimming competitively, at any level, until the 8th grade. “I always liked being in the pool and they had the swim team here, so I figured I might as well give it a try,” said Bray as he recalled his start as a competitive swimmer to the Corpus Christi Caller in January. “I kind of just stuck with it.
Bray caught up in a hurry. In February, Bray was the Texas 5A (smaller schools) State Champion in the 50 free (20.51) and the runner-up in the 100 free (44.81). His best time came at the regional meet in 20.28.
One of the top remaining uncommitted swimmers in the class of 2020, Bray is a diamond last-minute addition to the Aggies’ class of 2024.
He doesn’t have the same deep event breadth as most swimmers of his caliber – the USA Swimming times database only has times for him in 5 events. He’s never swum a race attached to a USA Swimming club, and his long course times so far lag well behind his short course times (25.00 in the 50 free, 55.03 in the 100 free).
Top Times in Yards:
- 50 free – 20.28
- 100 free – 44.81
- 100 back – 51.04
- 100 fly – 49.54
Time Progression:
Freshman | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | |
50 free | 24.4 | 21.94 | 21.06 | 20.28 |
100 free | 53.61 | — | — | 44.81 |
100 back | 1:00.24 | 53.32 | 52.55 | — |
The Aggies have had success mining talent out of South Texas before: a region that doesn’t produce a great depth of top-level swimmers, but does produce the occasional star. Shaine Casas, a U.S. National Teamer and Texas A&M’s biggest star, is from McAllen, Texas, which is about 100 miles down Texas’ Gulf Coast.
Bray’s progression mirrors that of the Aggie men. In 2017, the Aggies finished 16th at NCAAs and 7th at the SEC Championships. In 2020, the team was 2nd at the SEC Championships, and seeded for a 6th-place finish (swimming only) at the NCAA Championships before that meet was canceled over coronavirus fears.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
Nice pickup for A&M. Now coach him up some more!
great hair hes got there
It continues to only get “better & better”!! Congrats Kraig & welcome to our Aggie Family! We will continue to gig em forever👍👍
Good to see tallent stays in Texas this year. 7 to TAMU and 4 to Longhorns among Top 25.
Woah there, slow down with that comparison, but great addition to class of 2024.
Go crush it Kraig and don’t listen to the comment section!
Not trying to be negative towards Kraig whatsoever, but I’m entitled to my opinion and that is not a good comparison to make.
What comparison was made other than that they both come from South Texas?
Braden, it comes down to pressure. When I was younger and the press found out I was from the next town over from Phelps, it was too much for me to handle!