University of Georgia Athletics
BULLDOGS INK ALLEYNE DURING FALL SIGNING PERIOD
November 21, 2001 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 21, 2001
ATHENS, Ga. - The Georgia Bulldogs added one of the top freestylers during the early signing period as Barbados native Damian Alleyne signed a national letter of intent to study and compete at the University of Georgia as announced by head coach Jack Bauerle.
Alleyne, a native of Christ Church, Barbados, is currently a senior at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla., and is coached by Jeff Poppell. Alleyne, who chose Georgia over Florida and Tennessee, is a member of the Bolles Sharks club team and trains under Larry Shofe. Regarded as one of the top seniors in the country, Alleyne is a two-time Florida High School state champion in the 500-yard freestyle and has earned All-America honors on 10 occasions. As a junior he posted the second and third fastest times in the country in the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle events. In 1999 Alleyne was a member of the 400-yard freestyle relay that set the current national high school record.
"Damian is one of the best swimmers available coming out of high school," Bauerle said. "He is going to help us out where we need him most the freestyle. He walks in as the fastest recruit we have signed in the history of our program in the 200 and 500-yard freestyle. Obviously we are excited about Damian joining our team, but we are also excited about his work ethic. He is a part of one of the hardest working and most successful programs, coming from the Bolles School in Jacksonville (Fla.) and the Bolles Sharks under Larry Shofe."
Alleyne is experienced at the international level as well. As a member of the Barbados National Team, he competed in the 2000 Olympic Games in the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle. At the 2001 Caribbean and Central American Games, Alleyne won both the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle events and broke the Games record in the latter. He finished sixth in the 400-meter freestyle at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada.
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