Men's Recruiting: #2 - Texas

A runner-up finish in March is disappointing. A runner-up finish in the recruit rankings, well, that’s no big deal, especially when you consider the depth and quality of this year’s graduating class. Suit or no suit, UT Head Coach Eddie Reese describes this year’s class is the best he’s ever seen.

If this year’s recruiting class was the best he’s ever seen, consider Nick D’Innocenzo as the best of the best. The IM and breaststroke specialist hadn’t even qualified for the Olympic Trials as of last February, but by July he was a 200 IM semi-finalist with the second-fastest time ever posted among 18 & unders. While he was a late-bloomer, D’Innocenzo was an early convert to Longhorn nation. “I think since I was ten, people would ask me where I would want to swim in college and I’d tell them TEXAS!” When it came time to evaluate UT, Florida, Georgia, and Auburn he tried to be objective before adding, “I won’t deny however that I always had a special place in my heart for Texas through and through.”

Asked about his goals, D’Innocenzo says all the right things, “I suppose everyone should say ‘I want to go out and win an NCAA title!’” but he was on hand to watch this year’s NCAA Championships, and the experience gave him a new perspective. “I know I’m stepping onto a whole new threshold. I do look forward to competing at NCAA’s but in the interest of winning a team NCAA championship.”

After chasing Aaron Peirsol around the Jamail Texas Swim Center, Hill Taylor established himself as the Longhorn’s top backstroker. Now he’ll have a couple of talented youngsters to take under his wings. Cole Cragin follows in the footprints of former Cypress Fairbanks great Joe Montague. Those feet, however remind us more of Nate Dusing.

Austin Surhoff also brings his own athletic pedigree to UT. His dad is a former major league baseball player, but the Baltimore native credits his mom, the former Polly Winde with helping him through the college selection process. A touchout away from making the 1984 Olympic team, Winde was a top recruit at North Carolina. “She filled me in on everything to look out for and be wary of.”

Surhoff got his first taste of Texas when in Australia as a part of the National Junior Team along with three member’s of the Longhorn’s top-rated class of 2009, Hayes Johnson, Jimmy Feigen, and Jackson Wilcox. Prior to that, he admits to having been somewhat oblivious to the college process, but knew that his ultimate dream for college was to be a part of an NCAA-Championship winning team. “That's one of the main reasons I chose Texas, because its one of the ‘Big Four’ schools that could win at any given year (along with Auburn, Stanford, and Arizona).” He’s not content to just be a member of the team though. “I know in my heart that I could only truly enjoy a championship if I contributed points to it,” so he enters Texas aiming to be a contributor, “whether that means being an individual champion or making a B final here and there.”

One place Texas looks to be much-improved is in breaststroke. The return of Scott Spann will allow Texas to boast medley relays manned by three Olympians. In addition to D’Innocenzo, Texas welcomes Dax Hill from nearby Round Rock and Conor Swanson from Tampa. Hill also gives UT options in the sprint freestyle while Swanson is a jack of all trades, swimming back, breast and IM with equal skill.

Hunter Bayley will join Cy-Fair teammate Cragin in the Austin backstroke lane, but should also help make up for the loss of Michael Klueh. Rounding out the class is Madison Gibson. Don’t let the 199 ranking fool you. The Odessa flyer is a comer and the latest in a long line of recruits spotted by Reese but overlooked by the rest.

Is this the class takes the trophy back to Texas? Time will tell. Then again, with David Walters, Ricky Berens, Taylor all entering their Senior seasons, time may not be on their side.

3	83.49	D'Innocenzo, Nicholas	Andover, MA	Magnus Aquatic Group
19	71.72	Cragin, Cole	Friendswood, TX	Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club
29	70.42	Surhoff, Austin	Baltimore, MD	North Baltimore
30	70.34	Swanson, Conor	Tampa, FL	Tampa Bay Community Aquatics
36	69.52	Hill, Dax	Round Rock, TX
50	67.11	Bayley, Hunter	Houston, TX	Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club
210	54.23	Gibson, Madison	Odessa, TX	Odessa Aquatic Club