Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s college recruiting channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream, pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
End of high school Austin Lockhart pledged to swim for the US Naval Academy in the fall of 2021. Lockhart lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina and attends Nation Ford High School there, but crosses the border to the Mecklenburg Water Team (ATOM) in North Carolina for your club training.
Lockhart heads to the Naval Academy with an athletic curriculum rarely seen in a recruit to the service academies.
After swimming as a freshman and sophomore at South Carolina’s powerful Fort Mill High School, Lockhart was transferred to Nation Ford High School as a junior. He helped the program grow and become a powerhouse, finishing third in the 2020 state championship 5A (large schools) – two places ahead of Fort Mill.
At the 2020 meeting in October in South Carolina, the traditional opening for the state high school championships season, Lockhart won titles in the 50 free and 100 free categories individually. Both events were state records: his 20.27 in the 50 freestyle broke Zach Piedt’s 2014 record in half a second, while his 44.37 in the 100 freestyle broke PIedt’s 2014 record in 8 tenths of a second.
The 100 free victory was a defense of the state title.
Lockhart also anchored Nation Ford’s 200 free relay win, dividing 19.48. He had 43.60 on runner-up 400 free relay anchor leg.
The best times in Lockhart yards:
- 50 free – 20.27 (relay division 19.48)
- 100 free – 44.37 (43.60 relay division)
- 200 free – 1: 38,91
- 100 backs – 49.83
- 200 back – 1: 53,28
- 100 breast – 58.95
- 100 flights – 51.49
- 200 IM – 1: 54.08
Lockhart’s best time between 50 free and 100 free is already out of the top 10 of all time at school at these events. He would have been the Navy’s best finisher out of the 100 free at last year’s Patriot League Championship match, and would be second only to Army junior Billy Weber (44.20) and Army senior Nate Hein (44.30) in the conference meeting at the 100th free.
The Navy dominated the competition, winning its 16th title in 16 seasons in the Patriot League and finishing 374.5 points ahead of the runner-up, the Army. If there was a weakness for the Navy men last season, it would be the free sprints – although that weakness is relative to their overall dominance, as the team still won the two sprint-free relays.
The Navy qualified 1 swimmer, Luke Johnson, for the NCAA championship last season by 14: 52.11 in 1650 freestyle. They were also scheduled to send a diver, Bradley Buchter, to the NCAA championship for the second consecutive season.
He joins a new class that includes James Lyon, Cohen Bruner, Thomas Morris, Nate Sukeena, and Conor Cranfield. Together with Lockhart, Sukeena (1: 49.65 / 3: 54.4 IMer) and Cranfield (4:26 out of 500 free) form a Navy class that will be difficult for the rest of the Patriot League to reach so soon.
If you are committed to reporting, send an email with a photo (landscape or horizontal, looks better) and a quote for [email protected].
About the quick and fit swimming tour
Fitter & Faster swimming camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round in the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or apply for a swimming camp near you.
SOCIAL FFT
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a partner of SwimSwam.