Wylie Kruse
- position Backstroke/IM
- class Senior
- Hometown Fort Collins, Colo.
- High school Rocky Mountain (CO)
- position Backstroke/IM
- class Senior
- Hometown Fort Collins, Colo.
- High school Rocky Mountain (CO)
Wylie Kruse Bio
| Kruse’s Top Times | ||||
| Event | Time | Date | Meet | Location |
| 50 Free | 20.57p | 11/15/23 | Gamecock Invitational | Columbia, SC |
| 100 Free | 45.02# | 11/3/23 | vs. North Carolina | Columbia, SC |
| 200 Free | 1:42.02 | 10/20/23 | at Queens | Charlotte, NC |
| 100 Backstroke | 47.06p | 2/19/24 | SEC Championships | Auburn, AL |
| 200 Backstroke | 1:42.32p | 2/19/24 | SEC Championships | Auburn, AL |
| 200 IM | 1:45.03p | 2/15/23 | SEC Championships | College Station, TX |
! = School Record | p = Prelims | t = Time Trial | # = Leadoff Split/Split
AWARDS/HONORS
- 2x SEC Academic Honor Roll (2023, 2024)
- 2x CSCAA Scholar All-America (2nd team – 2023, 2024)
- CSC Academic All-District (2024)
JUNIOR (2023-24)
- Claimed a trio of event wins in the 200 back, winning at UNCW, versus North Carolina, and versus Duke
- Placed in the top-three of the 200 back six times out of eight time competing in the event during the regular season
- Made the SEC Championship team where he competed in the 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM
- Made the finals of the 200 back at the SEC Championships, finishing 21st overall
- Set new personal best times in both backstroke events at the SEC Championships
SOPHOMORE (2022-23)
- Saw action in all of South Carolina’s dual meets
- Competed in four different disciplines during his first season as a Gamecock (50 free, 100 and 200 back, 200 IM)
- Earned seven top-three finishes during the regular season with five of those coming in the 200 back
- Made his way onto the SEC Championship team where he individually competed in the 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM
- Made the finals of all three of his individual events at the SEC Championships, placing 24th in the 100 back, 20th in the 200 back, and T-22nd in the 200 IM
PRE-SOUTH CAROLINA
- Swam for one year at the University of Louisville, primarily in backstroke events
PRE-COLLEGE
- Swam for Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, CO, for four years. Was a seven-time All-Conference winner , scholastic All-American, and NISCA All-American
- Swam club for the Fort Collins Area Swim Team (FAST) under coach Mike Novell
- Was a Junior National Qualifier and a Junior National Finalist in the 100 and 200 backstroke
PERSONAL
- Business major with a path toward Real Estate
- Son to Sarah and Joe, brother to Sawyer, Jack, and Kammie
- Favorite foods are pasta, sushi, steak, fish, and crab
- Hobbies include hiking, hanging out with friends, hammocking, and riding his motorcycle
