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October 16, 2012: Local New Yorker Michael Domagala, who was trained by the Upper East Side Asphalt Green crew, has received a scholarship to USC. Recall, his colleague Lia Neal won a bronze medal at the London Olympics and is also heading to college on a scholarship.
Trojans Secure Commitment From Youngster Michael Domagala
Published in SwimmingWorld: October 16, 2012
PHOENIX, Arizona, October 16. SWIMMING World five-star recruit Michael Domagala of Asphalt Green Unified Aquatics in New York will be heading cross country just like teammate Lia Neal. However, instead of going to Northern California with Neal to Stanford, Domagala will be sunning in Southern California with USC head coach Dave Salo.
“I chose USC because it was by far the best fit for me,” Domagala told Swimming World. “I feel confidant that I will be able to reach all my goals not only in the swimming pool but also in academics. I absolutely loved the team, the coaches, the campus, the location, and all the support available for student-athletes. There is no doubt in my mind that I belong at USC and I am extremely exited and proud to become a Trojan!”
Domagala is a versatile swimmer who will make an immediate impact in the Pacific 12. He’s primarily been a long course meter swimmer with senior national cuts in the 100-meter free (50.97), 200-meter free (1:49.88) 400-meter free (3:57.29), 100-meter back (57.32), 100-meter fly (54.44) and 200-meter IM (2:04.54). He won the junior national title in the 200-meter free, and qualified for Trials in multiple events. Domagala, who is a young senior at just 16 years old, also has a few strong times in the short course yard arena with NCAA Division I B cuts in the 100-yard fly (47.74) and 200-yard IM (1:48.72).
“As a young senior (16 until December) we really wanted to find Michael a school where he could continue to develop over the next four years,” AGUA head coach Rachel Stratton-Mills told Swimming World. “He is definitely just at the beginning of an outstanding career and a school like USC will help him continue down the successful path he’s already on. In addition, Michael wanted a school with strong academics and a great scholastic reputation, and he found the combination of strong athletic and strong academics that he was looking for at USC.”
Domagala is the 11th-ranked swimmer in the nation according to CollegeSwimming.com, and the top-ranked swimmer out of New York. That gives Salo two of the top 11 swimmers in the nation, having already secured the pledge of seventh-ranked Steven Stumph out of Colorado.