The dream of competing in college swimming is a significant milestone for many young athletes, demanding years of dedication and relentless training. Fitter and Faster Swim Camps, a proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel, celebrates these achievements and the support systems behind them. In this spirit, we spotlight Cara O’Toole, a talented swimmer from London, Great Britain, who has officially committed to Old Dominion University (ODU). O’Toole is poised to begin her academic and athletic journey with the Monarchs in the 2022-2023 season, bringing with her a strong skillset that promises to make a splash in Conference-USA and potentially etch her name in ODU’s record books.
Expressing her enthusiasm on Instagram, Cara O’Toole shared, “SO so excited to officially announce that I have been given the most amazing opportunity to continue my academic and swimming career at Old Dominion University . A massive thank you to my coaches, family and friends who have supported me throughout the process
#reignon
.” This announcement marks an exciting new chapter for O’Toole and the Old Dominion University swimming program.
Cara O’Toole: A Rising Star from London
Representing Ealing Swimming Club in London, Cara O’Toole has consistently demonstrated her prowess in the pool. Her performance at the Middlesex County Championships in February 2020 saw her achieve personal best times in the long course 800 freestyle (8:54.50) and 200 backstroke (2:19.69). O’Toole continued to build momentum at the Region Spring Open Meet in March 2020, securing best times in the long course 200 freestyle (2:07.30), 400 freestyle (4:21.27), 1500 freestyle (17:02.57), and 100 backstroke (1:05.96).
Her accolades extend beyond regional meets. Cara O’Toole is a decorated swimmer, holding titles as a 2x British national medalist and a 2x Swim England national medalist. She also claimed victory as a London region Champion. Further highlighting her international potential, O’Toole was selected for the Swim England London team slated to compete in Barcelona, an event unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, she also achieved qualification for the prestigious British and Irish 2021 Olympic Trials, showcasing her commitment to high-level competition. Academically, O’Toole attends the Royal Masonic School for girls in Rickmansworth, England, balancing her rigorous training with her studies.
Potential Impact at Old Dominion University
Analyzing Cara O’Toole’s best times and their Short Course Yards (SCY) conversions reveals the significant impact she could have at Old Dominion University. Her converted times are:
- 200 Freestyle: 1:51.80
- 500 Freestyle: 4:52.73 (converted from 400 Freestyle LCM)
- 1650 Freestyle: 9:58.87 (converted from 800 Freestyle LCM)
- 200 Backstroke: 2:01.56
Based on these times, Cara O’Toole has the potential to immediately contend at the Conference-USA level. Her converted times project to a potential second-place finish in the 1650 freestyle, third in the 500 freestyle, and seventh in the 200 backstroke at the conference championships. Significantly, she would have been the top performer for the Old Dominion team in both the 500 and 1650 freestyle events, based on the previous season’s results.
Beyond conference implications, Cara O’Toole is also on track to make her mark on Old Dominion University’s swimming history. Her best converted times position her third in the school’s all-time rankings for both the 500 and 1650 freestyles, and eighth in the 200 backstroke. This indicates that O’Toole is not just a valuable addition to the team but also a potential record-setter.
Old Dominion University and Conference-USA
Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, Virginia, competes in Conference-USA (C-USA). In the 2021 C-USA Championships, the women’s swim team finished sixth out of six teams. However, with the addition of swimmers like Cara O’Toole, the program is clearly aiming to elevate its competitiveness within the conference. The team was previously led by junior Tara Enneking, who secured a conference title in the 200 IM, demonstrating the program’s potential for individual and team success.
Cara O’Toole is set to arrive at Old Dominion University in the fall of 2022 as part of the class of 2026. She will be joining fellow international recruit Sadie Goldin, further strengthening the international flavor and talent pool of the ODU swimming program. The arrival of Cara O’Toole is eagerly anticipated by the Old Dominion University community, and her performances in the pool are expected to be a highlight of the upcoming seasons.
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