The women in the high school class of 2014 are on a roll, and now it’s about time for the men to heat up as well.
Andrew Liang, who we had ranked as one of our top 20 recruits in the class of 2014, has verbally committed to Stanford, according to his head coach at Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics Tony Batis. This will keep the senior very close to home for the next four years.
Liang has the potential to contribute in a lot of places for the Cardinal, but his primary stroke will likely shake out as the fly events. There, in yards, he’s been 47.19 in the 100 and 1:46.47 in the 200. Three years ago, a 47.1 in the 100 yard fly would just about make him the top recruit in the country, though high school butterfliers have really raised the bar since then.
He’s also an elite backstroker, with bests times of 48.81/1:46.60; and a very good freestyler, having been 20.64/44.96/1:38.39 in the 50-200 yard races.
At the famed PASA club, he holds or shares an impressive 33 team records throughout the age groups.
Stanford’s butterfly group was one of their biggest recruiting needs this off-season, especially with no guarantees that Jack Lane will return after a year off. Liang should immediately bring depth and value to that group.
Liang is the top men’s recruit to make his decision so far nationwide.
Great get by the Cardinal. Elite potential with his kicking ability.
He went 47.1 fly as a junior, with exceptional back-half speed. I believe he was out slower than 22, and back under 25. Expect 46 low as that front-half improves.
Congrats to Andrew and Stanford. Staying close to home is putting it mildly-Palo Alto High School is literally across the street from Stanford.
Wasn’t Paul Powers the highest ranked recruit to commit?