Dave Salo continues to beef-up his women's breaststroke group, as it's now really developing into one of the best in the country at the NCAA level to match what he has had at the post-graduate level.
His latest addition is Jamie Christy, who hails from Atlanta. She trains under Jason Turcotte at the Dynamo Swim Club, one of the hottest junior programs in the country right now. Turcotte is the head coach of the Junior National Team that is on its way to Moscow and Berlin for the World Cup Series, and the club won the last two Junior National titles prior to the Olympic year.
Christy is a breaststroker, and most specifically a sprint breaststroker, with yards bests of 1:02.86 and 2:17.46. She's also very good in long course, with a 1:10.99 best in the 100.
Her bests swims in the 100 were done during, or just after, her sophomore year in high school, while a pinched nerve derailed her junior season a little bit. She's fully recovered though, and is optimistic headed into her senior year.
“I went to USC this weekend and I committed, I'm really excited! I can't wait to be a Trojan next year,” Christy said of her decision. “I really liked the team and how Dave puts emphasis on excelling academically as well as excelling in the pool. When I was on campus, everything clicked and I knew this was where I had to be! Catherine [Vogt] is awesome too- she's so supportive of all the girls!”
Salo has not shied away from breaststrokers coming off of injuries. Though Christy's wasn't nearly as severe, USC is also bringing in Steven Stumph in this class, who has been hit hard by hip and groin problems during his high school career as well.
As for Christy, she will join a breaststroke group that now includes Kasey Carlson, Andrea Kropp, and Brianna Weinstein. Not only is that a very talented class, this is also a very well-balanced class. In the fall of 2013, the Trojans will have a star as a senior (Carlson), junior (Kropp), sophomore (Weinstein), and now Christy. That will ensure that the program won't see any gaps in their medley relays for years to come – important as they strive to remain in the top three at NCAA's every year.