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Winter Juniors qualifier Cooper Walkup has announced his verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Alabama beginning in the fall of 2028. He publicized the news on Instagram, writing:
I am so incredibly excited and blessed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama. First off I wanted to thank Coach Jay, Coach Nick, and Coach Scott for always pushing me, believing in me, and making me the swimmer I am today. Thank you to my parents and siblings for always supporting and encouraging me. Thank you to my teammates for always pushing me in the water and making swimming so much fun. Lastly, I would like to thank Coach Margo, Coach Andy, Coach Catie, and the entire Alabama Swim and Dive team for this incredible opportunity. I can’t wait to be a part of the Crimson Tide! ROLL TIDE!
A senior at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado, Walker has been a member of his school’s varsity swimming team since his freshman year. He also trains year-round with Denver Swim Academy, where he primarily specializes in IM and the 200s of backstroke and breaststroke.
The 2025-26 season was a breakthrough for Walker, who dropped more than six seconds in the 200 breast, over five seconds in the 400 IM, nearly four seconds in the 200 back, and about three and a half seconds in the 200 IM. He set most of his current personal bests at the PN BC Premier Invitational in March, clocking 2:03.03 in the 200 breast, 1:49.24 in the 200 back, and 3:54.70 in the 400 IM. His best in the 200 IM came at the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) 5A State Championships, where he finished as the runner-up in 1:50.25 (1:49.05 altitude-adjusted). He also placed seventh in the 100 free (45.74), fifth with the 400 free relay (45.08 anchor), and 15th with the 200 medley relay (24.37 leadoff), reaching an ‘A’ final for the first time in his high school career.
At the national level, Walker finished 39th in the 400 IM (3:57.70), 72nd in the 200 IM (1:51.35), and 88th in the 200 breast (2:05.29) at Winter Juniors – West in December, and he will have a chance to improve on those placements in about two months.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 IM: 1:49.05 (altitude adjusted)
- 400 IM: 3:54.70
- 200 Backstroke: 1:49.24
- 200 Breaststroke: 2:03.03
A Division I program, the Alabama men finished sixth out of 11 teams at the 2026 Southeastern Conference Championships. To earn a second swim at the meet, times of 1:47.26/3:52.26 were needed in the 200/400 IM, 1:44.89 in the 200 back, and 1:56.40 in the 200 breast, putting Walker outside the cutoffs for now, though he still has nearly two full seasons of training ahead before lining up at his first conference meet.
Walker joins back/fly sprinter Jimmy Jacobs and distance freestyler Owen Miklos in committing to the Crimson Tide’s class of 2032 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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