WHS senior inks DI NLI

WASILLA — When Jeff Frey started to think about the opportunity to swim at the college level, the Wasilla High School standout saw it as another way to put himself through school. But as he continued in the sport, Frey thought more about the chance to make a splash at the highest level.

Next year, Frey will have that chance.

On Wednesday, the Wasilla senior signed a National Letter of Intent to swim for Division I University of Wyoming.

“I couldn’t pass this opportunity to compete (Division I),” Frey said shortly after inking his intent during a signing ceremony at Wasilla High. “When I was younger, it was like, I could do swimming, get a scholarship and pay my way through school that way. (But) I’ve kind of evolved.”

Frey was offered a full-ride to swim at the Illinois Institute of Technology with its NAIA program. But the lure of the Division I level was much too strong.

“I want to go in and see what I can do,” Frey said. “Possibly get to the NCAA Championships.”

Frey passed on the IIT full-ride, but he won’t be attending Wyoming empty-handed. The Laramie, Wyo., school offered substantial academic and athletic scholarships to Frey, who will study chemical engineering.

The opportunity to swim at Wyoming comes at the tail end of a stellar senior year. During the prep swimming season, Frey became the first Mat-Su Valley swimmer in a decade to win an individual state swimming championship. Actually, Frey captured two titles, finishing first in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races. Frey won both of those races at the Region III meet in record-breaking fashion and was named the region’s swimmer of the year.

Frey has also enjoyed a tremendous amount of success as a member of the Northern Lights Club. Last week, during the Alaska Junior Olympic Championships at the Bartlett Pool in Anchorage, Frey won the 50 freestyle in the 15 and older division. He also led his club to wins in a pair of relay events. Following the meet, Frey was named the state’s swimmer of the year by Alaska coaches.

“I was really excited about that,” Frey said.

Frey also competed at the Junior Nationals and placed 19th in the 50 free. He advanced to the final heats in the 50 and 100 freestyle events of the Pacific Northwest Senior Sectional Meet.

Frey said Wasilla head coach and Northern Lights Club coach Matt Hanley has been a big influence during his swimming career.

“He was the reason I started swimming year-round,” Frey said. “I was doing swimming and basketball, but he came around and I started swimming year-round.”

Frey may have a chance to crack the Cowboys lineup early in his career. Wyoming is losing its top two sprinters, and Frey’s times already rank him among the best on the UW roster.

“As long as I do well and work hard, do everything I should be doing, I think I’ll be able to,” Frey said.

Frey is just the third Valley swimmer in a decade to commit to a Division I program. Former Palmer standout Dirk Craft, who before Frey was the last Valley swimmer to win a state title, swam at South Dakota. Former Colony standout Sarah Brettrager signed with Oakland (Mich.).

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.