Jacob Montague will be a Michigan Wolverine in the 2016-2017 NCAA season.
The pipeline between Detroit’s Grosse Pointe South High School and the University of Michigan Wolverines continues in 2015, with a verbal commitment of high school senior Jacob Montague to join the men’s program next fall.
Montague is the home-state’s best high school breaststroker, which fills a big recruiting need for this program.
“The moment I entered Ann Arbor, I knew that that was where I wanted to be,” Montague said. “The program has a tradition of excellence, and everyone there strives to keep that tradition alive. The brilliant coaching staff is one that I trust to help me thrive both in the water and in the classroom. Michigan has some of the best academics in the country, and the academic support that is offered is unmatched anywhere else in the country.”
He is the defending Michigan Division 2 (of 3) State Champion in the 100 yard breaststroke with a 54.66, and during his junior season made a huge leap in the 200 IM to win that event at the State Championship meet as well, swimming 1:48.30.
Best times in yards:
- 100 breast – 54.66
- 200 breast – 2:00.62
- 200 IM – 1:48.30
That time in the 200 IM came by way of a four-second career-best improvement at the State meet, after going 1:53 as a junior.
Michigan had the two fastest 100 breaststrokers in the Big Ten last year (Richard Funk and Bruno Ortiz), but both graduated at the conclusion of last season. That will leave this group in the hands of junior Chris Klein this season, who is very capable with bests of 52.93 and 1:54.46, but doesn’t have much behind him.
Breaststroke depth has to have been a focus for Mike Bottom and his staff during this recruiting season.
Montague will join at least three Grosse Pointe South alumni teammates in Ann Arbor this season. On the women’s team, the DeLoof sisters (Ali, Gabby, Catie) all came from the same school, though Montague swims for the Grosse Point Gators and head coach John Fodell, whereas the DeLoofs swam for Pointe Aquatics.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email to [email protected]
GO BLUE! What a commit for M. Great kid, great family. Dad (Andy) must be beaming!!!!!
Welcome…glad you chose to stay home! Go Blue! Keep working hard and strive to be the best!
Great pickup with a lot of momentum on his side. Went from 58.3 at age 16 to 54.6 at age 17.
Go Blue!
He also goes 1:02.0/2:14.3 in the 100/200 Breast LCM. Big pickup and he is a big need for Michigan after losing 2 51 second 100 breaststrokers to graduation.