Hayley Blaauw, a senior at Thousand Oaks High School, has committed to Queens University of Charlotte.
Blaauw currently swims for Conejo Simi Swim Club in Thousand Oaks, California. She is fresh off a Winter Junior Nationals cut swim in the 200 breaststroke (2:18.49) at the Southern Premier meet in March. Her swim already beats out the Queens University of Charlotte record of 2:21.87 set by Monica Milici in 2012.
Her breaststroke will prove an asset to the Royals swim team. This past year, Queens did not have a single swimmer in the 200 breaststroke at NCAA Division II Championships. Blaauw’s best time could have scored her a spot in the consolation final. However, her 100 breast (1:04.89) is currently not quite fast enough to score a place on last season’s relay team, where Patricia Castro-Ortega, a sophomore, split out a 1:03.69.
She is joining a Queens team that finished first on both the women’s and the men’s sides at NCAA Division II Championships earlier this year. With their first ever Division II championship title, the Queens women delivered a huge upset to Drury, the winners of six of the previous eight championships.
Other notable best times include her 400 IM, 4:30.50; her 200 IM, 2:08.28; and her 200 fly, 2:08.53.
Congratulations, Hayley. It has been a pleasure to watch, from afar, as you have developed into both an excellent swimmer and a wonderful young lady. It will be great to have you in the southeast next Fall. Keep up the great work!