Y-Nationals Qualifier Matt Kunkiewicz Commits to Bates College

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Matt Kunkiewicz from Hillsborough, New Jersey has announced his commitment to D3 Bates College for the fall of 2022. 

“I am proud to announce my commitment to Bates College! Thank you to my family, friends, GSCY coaches and Lori Payne from ACC Recruiting for all the support throughout the recruitment process. Go Bobcats!”

Kunkiewicz competes for the Greater Somerset County YMCA out of Somerville, New Jersey. He is a multi-time YMCA Short Course Nationals qualifier and was a finalist in the 1650 freestyle at the 2022 edition of the meet, finishing 13th overall (16:18.35).

Best Times SCY: 

• 200 freestyle: 1:49.09
• 500 freestyle: 4:44.85
• 1000 freestyle: 9:42.63
• 1650 freestyle: 16:18.35
• 200 IM: 1:59.29
• 400 IM: 4:14.06

When he arrives in Maine, Kunkiewicz will add some depth to the Bates distance group, which only had 5 swimmers contest the 1650 freestyle last season. Among those swimmers, Kunkiewicz would have ranked third on the roster, just behind freshman Jack Mocarski. In addition, he would have been the 3rd fastest swimmer on Bates’ roster last season in the 500 freestyle. Though it is not always contested in NCAA competition, Kunkiewicz’s time in the 1000 freestyle would have been the second fastest on the Bobcat’s roster as well. 

At the conference level, Kunkiewicz’s best times in the 1000 freestyle and 1650 freestyle would have scored at the 2022 NESCAC Championships. He also would have placed just outside of scoring range in the 500 freestyle, which took a 4:41.32 out of prelims to earn a second swim. At those championships, the Bates men finished 5th out of 11 teams, scoring 994 points. In the distance events, the team was led by sophomore Mark Gregory, who placed 3rd in the 1000 freestyle and 4th in the 1650 freestyle.

With his commitment, Kunkiewicz is slated to join Kyle Beebe and Lucas Gold in Bates’ class of 2026. 

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