Ryan Alexander, of Marblehead MA, has verbally committed to the Penn Quakers for 2014-15.
The Marblehead High School standout is primarily a backstroker who also has strong times in the fly, IM and middle-distance frees. She is a member of USA Swimming’s Scholastic All-America Team.
Ryan Alexander swims for YMCA of the North Shore. At the YMCA Short Course National Championship in March 2013, Alexander was fifteenth in the 1000 with 10:07; fifteenth in the 400 IM with 4:24; fourteenth in the 200 fly (2:03 in prelims); led off the 800 free relay in 1:52.30, and went 56.87 leading off the 400 medley relay.
Alexander also had a successful summer season: her 100 and 200 back at the YMCA Long Course National Championship were particularly strong. She finished seventh in the 100 with 1:05.17 and fifth in the 200 with 2:19.09.
Penn has just one more year with distance superstar Shelby Fortin. The Quakers might be planning to use Alexander in some of the longer events, as she’s been 4:57 in the 500. All in all, Penn is picking up a versatile swimmer whose talent should score points in dual and conference meets.