There were rumors abound that Austrian National Teamer and Olympian Christian Scheruebl was coming to the United States to train within the NCAA ranks, but many reports about his ultimate location have proven premature.
The true winners of this sweepstakes were confirmed today by the Austrian Swimming Federation, who tells us that Scherubl has signed a National Letter of Intent to swim for SMU. This comes after having verbally committed to at least one other program previously.
Scheruebl is a fantastic middle-to-distance freestyler that should get the Mustangs’ men’s program back to the NCAA Championships after an absence last season.
In long course meters, he’s been 1:49.51 in the 200 free; 3:51.75 in the 400 free, and 15:26.79 in the 1500 free. That makes him very similar to someone like former Auburn All-American Zane Grothe, but younger and not quite as good at the long end of that spectrum.
Generally, Scheruebl is equally as good in short course as long course. He’s also decent in the sprints – he’s been a 24.23 in the 50 and 50.90 in the 50 and 100 in long course. Those convert to a 21.1 and 44.4 in yards, and that 50 time was done two years ago.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Scherubl swam on Austria’s 16th-place 800 free relay. He had the team’s second-best split of 1:48.64.
SMU’s latest signee is older than the typical incoming freshman – he turned 20 in April. SMU is always very heavy on international recruits, though the men’s team at present doesn’t have as many as this program has in the past. Of the team’s 24 returning swimmers for next season, four are internationals: two from Mexico, one from Lithuania, and one from Slovenia.
Lol sounds like you are magruder’s mom or dad…
Austria eh? well then, put another shrimp on the barbie!
He sounds like a very talented swimmer. The combination of him and local recruit Grayson Magruder, SMU will be a dangerous team this year.