Southlake, Texas-native Carson Klein has verbally committed to swim for Southern Methodist University beginning in the fall of 2015. Klein is one of the last top high school swimmers to make his decision, and he opted to stay in-state.
“I liked the training group, team, and overall atmosphere. I had a lot of great choices, but SMU was the perfect fit for me.”
Klein is a strong mid-distance freestyler, in the North Texas Nadadores/Southlake Carroll High School tradition that produced Texas freshman Jonathan Roberts, among many others. Klein recently won both the 200 free (1:37.36) and 500 free (4:26.50) at the Texas University Interscholastic League 6A Championships in February. Both were personal best times, but the 500 was particularly impressive. Seeded third after posting a best time in prelims, Klein found himself trailing the two leaders throughout most of the final. He was sixth at the 100, sixth at the 200, third at the 300, third-and-closing at the 400 and 450, and then over the last 50, Klein charged home in a 25.4 to get the win by .10. Klein also led off Southlake Carroll’s 400 free relay in 46.03.
His best times include:
100y free – 46.03 100m free – 53.97
200y free – 1:37.36 200m free – 1:55.66
500y free – 4:26.50 400m free – 4:06.84
400y IM – 4:05.08 400m IM – 4:44.46
Klein should waste no time scoring points for the Mustangs. His 200 and 500 frees would have been the team’s second-fastest this season, and his 100 free would have been fifth. SMU had a young group of freestylers this year led by Christian Scherubl, who won both the 200 and 500 at conference championships and set the AAC record in the latter. Klein would have easily been top-8 at the 2015 meet. He would also have been a nice addition to SMU’s relays. Going forward, this group should be a good fit for Klein.