News Summary
Grace Descent, a standout sprinter from Saint Petersburg, has committed to swim at Liberty University for the upcoming academic year. She has been training year-round and recently dominated several meets, winning multiple gold medals in freestyle events. Descent aims to compete at key meets in November, showcasing her capability for collegiate competition. Her impressive personal best times set her up to be a valuable addition to Liberty’s swim team, which recently won the Atlantic Sun Championship. She joins several other swimmers announcing commitments to various universities.
Saint Petersburg, Florida – Grace Descent, a talented sprinter from Saint Petersburg, has officially committed to swim at Liberty University for the 2026-2027 academic year. Descent has been a standout athlete training year-round with St. Petersburg Aquatics and currently attends Keswick Christian High School.
Descent expressed her excitement about the commitment, acknowledging the support of her family, coaches, and her faith in God. Looking ahead, she has her sights set on several key meets in November, including the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 1A District 8 meet, 1A Region 3 Championships, and 1A State Championships.
At the FHSAA District 8 meet, Descent dominated the sprint freestyle events, winning four gold medals. She recorded impressive times of 24.29 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle and 52.80 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle. Additionally, she led off both the 200 and 400-meter freestyle relays with times of 24.11 seconds and 52.23 seconds, respectively.
In the subsequent Region 3 meet, Descent again earned four gold medals while setting personal bests. She achieved a remarkable sub-24-second time of 23.91 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle and clocked 52.20 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle. Her performance at the State Championships saw her finishing seventh in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 24.13 seconds and tenth in the 100-meter freestyle at 52.47 seconds. She also contributed to relay finishes in the 200 and 400-meter freestyle events with times of 24.29 seconds and 52.68 seconds, respectively.
Over the past two seasons, Descent has marked several personal best times, including 1:53.03 in the 200-meter freestyle, 57.35 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly, and 57.54 seconds in the 100-meter backstroke. Her performance metrics position her competitively within the upcoming Liberty University swim team, which recently secured the 2025 Atlantic Sun Championship under coach Jake Shellenberger.
Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, is recognized as a Division I mid-major private evangelical Christian institution, boasting an enrollment of over 135,000 students. Given Descent’s achievements, her personal best times would have qualified her for consolation heats in the Atlantic Sun Championships, showcasing her readiness for collegiate competition.
Grace Descent is not alone in her commitments this season; she joins several other swimmers also announcing their plans to compete at the collegiate level. Corinne Hayes from Denver, Colorado, has committed to St. Bonaventure University. Nina Heron from Baltimore, Maryland, is headed to the University of Cincinnati, while Olivia Esperas from Sacramento, California, will swim for American University. Kenzie Sellars from White River Junction, Vermont, has chosen the University of North Carolina, and Cami Schwartz from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will also join Descent at Liberty University.
The enthusiasm surrounding these commitments reflects the growing trend of young athletes aiming for collegiate sports, and Descent’s achievements serve as a testament to her dedication and potential in the sport of swimming as she prepares for the next chapter of her athletic and academic journey.
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Additional Resources
- SwimSwam: World Record Holders in St. Petersburg
- Google Search: Grace Descent swimming
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- Google Scholar: swimming training
- The Weekly Challenger: Water Safety Skills
- Encyclopedia Britannica: swimming collegiate athletics
- Fox 13 News: Swim Across America Challenge
- Google News: swimming news
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
