Sprint freestyler and backstroker Cathryn Armstrong from the StingRay Swim Team in Snohomish, Washington has verbally committed to the Michigan State Spartans.
Armstrong’s best times in yards are:
- 50 free – 24.71
- 100 free – 53.72
- 100 back – 56.57
That 100 backstroke time should be of special interest to Michigan State fans, as the Spartans didn’t have a single swimmer go faster than 56.57 last season. Then-freshman Claire Pilarski led the way in 56.84.
After plateauing a little bit during her sophomore season, Armstrong got back on track as a junior. That included almost a two second improvement in her 100 back and a seven-tenths of a second improvement in her 50 free.
While competing for her native Monroe High School, where she finished 7th at the 2014 Washington High School State Championship meet in the 100 back. That meet came well before her March taper for Sectionals, which is where she had the huge improvements. If she tapers for her high school state championship this fall, she could contend for that title in a few weeks as a senior.
Either way, she’ll have an immediate impact on Michigan State in what will likely be a rebuilding year in East Lansing.
Armstrong is a Michigan State swimming legacy. Her dad was a team captain in the 1980’s and her mom is a former Michigan State All-American.
It was my fault that she plateaued