By Charlotte Wells on SwimSwam
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Ryan Southern, a finalist at the 2025 NCSA Spring Championship, has announced his verbal commitment to swim for the University of Delaware beginning in the fall of 2026.
“I am excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Delaware. I’d like to thank Coach Katie, Coach Ross, and Coach Pablo for giving me the opportunity to continue swimming at the next level. I’d also like to thank coach John Flanagan, Coach Chris, my family, friends and God for supporting me throughout my journey. Go Hens”
A senior at Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia, Southern currently trains year-round with Nation’s Capital Swim Club, where he primarily specializes in butterfly and sprint freestyle. This season could mark his third year competing for Meridian’s varsity swimming and diving team, as Southern swam for the Mustangs his freshman and junior year thus far.
Southern turned in a series of top performances at the NCSA Spring Championship back in March. He placed 21st in the 100 fly (49.36) and 24th in the 200 fly (1:51.06), after setting personal best times of 49.34 and 1:49.77 during the prelims for both events. Southern also clocked a lifetime best in the 50 free (21.76) and the 50 fly (22.92).
At the 2025 VHSL (Virginia High School League) Class 3 State Championships a few weeks earlier, Southern claimed the state title in the 100 fly with a time of 50.79. He also placed 11th in the 500 free (5:03.67) and helped Meridian to a 7th-place finish in the 200 free relay and a 10th-place finish in the 200 medley relay.
Most recently, Southern competed at the Futures Championship (LCM) in Greensboro, where he posted a series of lifetime best performances and earned a second swim in two events. Southern placed 22nd in both the 50 fly (25.59) and 100 fly (55.96). He also contested the 50 free (24.73) and 200 fly (2:08.94), setting a best time in every event except the 200 fly.
Best Times SCY
- 100 fly – 49.34
- 200 fly – 1:49.77
- 50 free – 21.76
- 100 free – 47.91
A Division I Mid-Major program, Delaware joined the Atlantic Sun Conference beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. Prior to this switch, the Blue Hens competed in the Coastal Athletic Association, with Delaware taking 2nd overall at the Coastal Athletic Association Championships last season.
Based on the results from the 2025 ASUN Championships, Southern would have landed in the ‘B’ final in the 100 fly and 200 fly, putting him in a position to score some points right from the start, although that does not account for where other Delaware swimmers would have placed. On the team itself, Southern would rank 2nd in the 200 fly and 4th in the 100 fly among the Blue Hens this season. With one more year to go until he arrives on campus, we will have to wait and see how the roster shakes out.
Currently set to join Southern in Newark next year are Ben Jabs, Ken White, Keagan Eisenhofer and Grady Redding, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
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Read the full story on SwimSwam: NCSA Finalist Ryan Southern to Swim for University of Delaware Starting Next Fall (2026)
