California freshman phenom Cierra Runge will not return to Berkeley this fall. The NCAA runner-up in the 500 and 1650 Freestyle will continue her training under Bob Bowman and Keenan Robinson at Arizona State University.
Runge trained with Bowman this summer in preparation for the World Championships in Kazan. Officially, Runge is sitting out the 2015-16 season in preparation for next summer's Olympic Trials in Omaha, but coaches have confirmed that she has requested, and was granted releases, to speak with other schools about transferring. Runge could potentially transfer to ASU, but that is not likely.
Under Pac-12 Intra-Conference transfer rules, the earliest Runge could potentially represent ASU would be the 2016-17 season. In order to do so she would be charged with one year of eligibility and have to achieve an academic year in residence. At present, Runge is not listed as being enrolled in the University.
Runge will join Georgia's Chase Kalisz in Tempe. Kalisz announced his intention to sit out a year in preparation for next Summer's trials soon after Bowman's hiring at Arizona. The Bulldog junior had a disapointing collegiate season following two years when he won the NCAA title in the 400 IM.
