Canadian young-star swimmer Sinead Russell will be travelling stateside this weekend, but not to compete as many of her teammates did in the Austin Grand Prix. Instead, she will be making recruiting stops at the University of Florida and the University of Texas.

We first reported back in the fall, after hearing from a close family friend, that Russell had chosen Florida, however her father Cecil later denied that report. It seems as that Sinead has added the Longhorns into contention for her services.

She sits alongside Cal commits Liz Pelton and Rachel Bootsma as the future mega-stars in the class of 2012 (and, ironically, specializes in the same backstroke events).

Russell has long course bests of 59.68 in the 100 and 2:08.80 in the 200, both from this year’s World Championships in Shanghai. That 100 mark is a new Canadian National Record, and she became the first Canadian woman to break the minute barrier in the event.

She also has very solid 100 (55.55) and 200 (1:59.70) freestyles (solid internationally, collegiately they’re outstanding), and in a pinch her 100 fly (1:01.35) and 200 IM (2:15.44) will stack up very well against collegiate competition.

Both Texas and Florida could seriously use her specific skills. Florida has a phenomenal 200 backstroker (Elizabeth Beisel), but the 100 is not a strong suit for her. They’ll also be graduating their top freestyler Sarah Bateman, which leaves biig holes for someone of Russell’s skill to fill on any of the 5 relays.

Texas will have Lily Moldenhauer coming back as a junior to fill their medley spot, but could slide her over to butterfly (she’s the team’s best in both strokes) and use Russell as the backstroker. They too are graduating their top freestyler (Karlee Bispo).

From a pragmatic standpoint, it seems as though Texas should have more in terms of scholarship money to offer, if that is a factor in the decision. Florida has already signed a big class of top-20 recruits (including Lindsey McKnight, Natalie Hinds, and Ashlee Linn, plus a couple of other top-100 names. Texas on the other hand has only one public commit who has likely gotten big money, which is Marissa Neel out of California.

This year has seen an awesome class of Canadian swimmers coming across the border and make an imprint on American college recruiting.

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