Deciding to continue his swimming career in college, senior Conner Ripp committed to swim at Missouri State because of location, level of team success, and team chemistry.
“I really like the team,” Ripp said. “It’s also a very good team so that’s really cool, and Springfield is a cool city. I really like the program as a whole.”
Along with Missouri State, Ripp looked into swimming at Truman State University, Michigan State University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. When a spot opened up at Missouri State in early March, because it was his top choice, he decided to commit to swim there.
“If you look at their progress in the past years they’ve gotten a ton better, and their coach is very good and is really into the sport,” Ripp said. “The kids they’re recruiting get faster and faster, so the team is only going to grow, so it seems like it’ll only benefit me.”
According to Ripp, one of the most challenging parts of the recruiting process is communicating with coaches.
“The process as a whole is a lot of talking,” Ripp said. “On your part it’s really hard, trying to keep in contact with coaches.”
Although Ripp competed for the boys swim team his freshman through junior years, he decided not to his senior season so that he could continue training with his club team.
“Over the summer I qualified for some meets that were going to on on during the high school season,” Ripp said. “If I trained club, I would be able to go to meets I had never been able to go to before.”
According to Ripp, the decision was based off of the opportunity to go to higher level meets, including Grand Prix meets and Junior Nationals.
“I think (head boys swim and dive coach Jeff) Spector is a great coach, and it didn’t reflect the team at all,” Ripp said.
Although not doing high school swim took away the opportunity to swim at the state meet, Ripp said that overall it was beneficial, and gave him the ability to improve in events that he will able to compete in during college meets. Looking to next year, Ripp said he is most excited for the new experience.
“I’m excited to try something I’ve never done before, and for being at another level of the sport,” Ripp said.