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The High School Class of 2022: A Look Back at the Top NCAA Prospects
The college swimming recruiting landscape is a fascinating one, and the class of 2022 was no exception. As we look back on this group of talented athletes, it's clear that some of them lived up to the hype, while others exceeded expectations. In this article, I'll be taking a deep dive into the top NCAA prospects from this class, analyzing their performances and providing my own insights and commentary.
The Top 20: A Look at the Best of the Best
The top 20 recruits from the class of 2022 were a diverse group, with a mix of established stars and rising talents. Here's a closer look at each of them, along with my own thoughts and analysis.
Owen McDonald: The Top American Scorer
Owen McDonald was an honorable mention recruit coming out of high school, but he quickly established himself as the top American in this class. With a combined total of 73 points in two years at Arizona State and Indiana, McDonald carried that momentum into the back-half of his career. In my opinion, what makes McDonald's performance particularly impressive is the fact that he had to choose between two of his best events due to the new schedule. Despite this, he still managed to put up 30.5 points for the Hoosiers, bringing his career total to 145.5. I think McDonald's ability to adapt to the new schedule and still perform at a high level is a testament to his talent and determination.
Baylor Nelson: The Runner-Up
Baylor Nelson, the top-ranked recruit in this class coming out of high school, finished as the second-highest scorer with 93.5 points. Nelson's performance was highlighted by a career-high 33 points in 2026, after transferring from Texas A&M to Texas in the offseason. In my view, what makes Nelson's performance particularly interesting is the fact that he set new best times in all three of his events during the season. I think this is a clear indication of his potential and his ability to perform at a high level in multiple events.
NC State's Quintin McCarty: The Top Scorer
NC State's Quintin McCarty was the top scorer in this class this season, putting up 37 points for the Wolfpack to bring his career total to 53. McCarty's performance was particularly impressive, given that he was injured early in his freshman campaign and took a redshirt season. I think McCarty's ability to come back from injury and perform at a high level is a testament to his resilience and determination.
The Misses: Swimmers Who Didn't Live Up to the Hype
While some swimmers in this class exceeded expectations, others didn't live up to the hype. Here's a closer look at some of the swimmers who didn't perform as well as expected.
Michael Cotter: The Unfulfilled Potential
Michael Cotter, the #3-ranked recruit coming out of high school, has not competed in an NCAA Championship meet. An ACL injury notably disrupted his freshman year, and he hasn't been able to recover fully. In my opinion, what makes Cotter's situation particularly interesting is the fact that he transferred to UNC last summer, but didn't compete for the Tar Heels this year. I think this is a clear indication of the challenges that some swimmers face when transitioning to a new program.
Other Impactful Recruits
Not every contributor comes from the top 20 list. Some swimmers develop extremely well in college, while others slip under our radar. Here's a closer look at some of the other impactful recruits from this class.
Jonny Kulow: The Sprinting Star
Jonny Kulow is the clear standout from the unranked recruits. Under the guidance of Herbie Behm at Arizona State, Kulow has thrived throughout his career as a Sun Devil. Despite being a 73-point scorer for his career, Kulow's impact was felt most on the ASU relays. I think Kulow's ability to excel in the sprinting program is a testament to his talent and his coach's ability to develop his skills.
International Recruits: A Diverse Group
The international recruits in this class were a diverse group, with swimmers from all over the world. Here's a closer look at some of the standout performers.
Josh Liendo: The Canadian Star
Josh Liendo had lofty expectations coming into his freshman year at Florida, and it's safe to say he's exceeded them and then some during his four years with the Gators. Liendo wrapped up his NCAA career by sweeping his individual events for the second time at the championships, setting new records and personal best times along the way. I think Liendo's ability to perform at a high level in multiple events is a testament to his talent and his coach's ability to develop his skills.
Diving Recruits: A Look at the Divers
While swimming is the main focus of this article, it's worth taking a look at the diving recruits as well. Here's a closer look at some of the standout performers.
Carson Paul: The Platform Leader
LSU's Carson Paul leads all divers in this class with 53 points across four NCAA Championship appearances. Paul recorded a career-best 4th-place finish on platform this season, scoring 15 points, just shy of his lifetime best total of 18. I think Paul's ability to perform at a high level in multiple events is a testament to his talent and his coach's ability to develop his skills.
Conclusion: A Look Ahead
As we look back on the class of 2022, it's clear that some swimmers lived up to the hype, while others exceeded expectations. I think this class has set the stage for an exciting future in college swimming, and I can't wait to see what the next generation of athletes brings to the table.
