Signing Day: Jesuit swimmer Swanson signs with Penn

TAMPA -- Over the summer, Jesuit senior swimmer Chris Swanson took unofficial visits to some of the top academic schools in the nation.

His trips took him to Princeton, Yale, Penn, Georgetown, Notre Dame and Northwestern, but it was his stop at Penn that won him over.

"I really like the campus," said Swanson, last year's Times boys swimmer of the year. "I liked the coach. The academics are incredible. It's so great. I love the atmosphere. It's where I wanted to go."

And Wednesday, the Tigers' standout signed with Penn. He committed to the Ivy League school last Monday, he said. 

"Since the beginning, I've said I'm going to go because of swimming, but I'm going to go wherever my career can go academically," said Swanson, who said he owns a 4.3 weighted grade point average.

Swanson was one of eight Jesuit seniors -- including seven baseball players -- who signed their national letters of intent Wednesday morning.

He said he will swim the 200 and 500 free at Penn.

Reach Times staff writer Eduardo A. Encina with comments and story tips at eencina@sptimes.com and follow him on Twitter at @EddieHometeam.

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