The Alabama women have a new verbal commitment on their hands, as Alabama High School State champion Maria Reed has announced her intention to join the Crimson Tide next fall. Reed is a member of the City of Mobile Swim Association, and will graduate from Baker High School.
Reed is primarily a sprint freestyler, with her State Championship title coming from the 100 freestyle during the 2014-15 season. She also shows some promise in butterfly, having placed 4th in the 100 fly at the 2016 SES Championships.
Reed’s Top Times:
| Event | Best time |
| 50 free | 23.62 |
| 100 free | 50.76 |
| 200 free | 1:50.99 |
| 100 fly | 56.58 |
When she arrives at Alabama, Reed’s best individual scoring prospects for the Crimson Tide are likely in the 50 and 100 freestyles, where she has bests of 23.62 and 50.76 respectively. She’s about 4 tenths awy from what it took to score at SECs in the 50 last season, and about 8 tenths away from what it took to score in the 100.
Reed should have an immediate impact through her contrbution to the sprint free relays. Her times would put her among the top 6 50 freestylers and top 3 100 freestylers on Alabama’s current roster. She’ll also help them fill the gap left by Bailey Scott, the 50 free school record holder, who will be graduating after this season.
At Alabama, Reed will join a sprint free group that includes Morgan Fleming and Temarie Tomley, who each scored in one of the sprint races at the 2016 SEC Championships.