Former Arizona Wildcat Kait Flederbach has been granted a release from the University of Arizona, meaning that she will transfer for her one remaining year of eligibility.
In three years at Arizona, one under Frank Busch and two under Eric Hansen, Flederbach scored 7 All-American honors. In 2013, she was 17th at NCAA’s in the 50 free (just missing her season-best time of 22.31) and also placed 20th in the 100 free in 48.81.
She also swam the 3rd leg on Arizona’s American Record setting relay who were runners-up to Arizona in the 400 free relay at the NCAA Championships, and was also the 2nd leg on their NCAA Championship 200 free relay.
Flederbach’s biggest headline-stealing performance, though, was when she finished 6th in the 50 free at the 2012 Olympic Trials. She swam a 25.1 and almost joined the very rare American in the sub-25 second class. She finished 11th at this year’s World Championship trials.
Flederbach’s options are relatively limited, at least among the major conferences. A transfer to the Pac 12 wouldn’t work, and the Big 12 and SEC don’t accept transfers with one year of eligibility remaining, with the exception of athletes taking a course of study not offered at their institution (unlikely that Flederbach would seek a different degree than the Speech Pathology major she had at Arizona).
Flederbach is originally from the Indianapolis area, where she swam for Westfield High School and Viper Aquatics.
That means a transfer to the Big Ten, ACC, or perhaps another conference outside of the Big 5 is likely on tap.
This is not a high school girl dumping a boyfriend, it’s more like a divorce. As the mother of an athlete who went through this, an enormous amount of thought and angst goes into a decision like this. Best of luck to Kait, it takes a strong person to realize they need to make a change, and then go through it. Hopefully she’ll find a school that will let her be happy and successful – in all aspects of her life.
If you spend three years at one school and one year at another, which school grants you a degree? Not every credit will transfer, so either she goes an extra year or two at the new school or ends up spending a half year back at Arizona after finishing her eligibility. Seems that the optimal transfer window is after your freshman or sophomore year.
duckduckgoose – to have the most options, after sophomore year is truly the best, if balancing athletics and academics, I’d say. Some conferences, for example the SEC, won’t allow an incoming transfer with less than 48 hours.
My money is on Virgina
Maybe follow Hite to Wisconsin? They have done pretty well in the sprints with ivy Martin, etc.
Best of luck wherever she chooses; great catch for any school!!!
What is it with Arizona and transfers. They seem to have so many high-profile ones, but into and out of their program. You would think it were a 2- or 3- year University.
There are transfers every year at every school. Look at Cal and UF… Zona just happens to be a hot topic of discussion
Flederbach, Neidigh, Elliot, Pepper, Kendall, Roth, Lafferty, Denninghoff, Stupp, Solis, Seemann, and Peacock just in the past 2 years…that is more than just a hot topic.
Unless you are referring to a different pepper Elizabeth Pepper is transferring to Arizona from Florida state.
Umm…. I transferred in not out
The first post says transfer into AND out of the program…I never said everyone is leaving.
Craigh – Remember that Arizona has recently gone through dymanic coaching changes starting with Rhodenbaugh/Hite in 2010; then Frank and Augie in 2011. I imagine many of the transfers to and from UA are the result of personal coaches leaving and/or coming aboard.
Maybe she will join Auggie Busch at Virginia?