Merritt Zieminick
Career-Best Times (collegiate)
100 Free: 53.73 at Tennessee Last Chance Invitational, 3.1.25
200 Free: 1:53.86 at Tennessee Last Chance Invitational, 2.28.25
500 Free: 4:57.55 at Tennessee Last Chance Invitational, 2.28.25
1,000 Free: 10:17.03 vs. Southern Illinois, 2.1.25
1,650 Free: 17:02.56 at Tennessee Last Chance Invitational, 3.1.25
200 Fly: 2:15.17 at South Carolina/Georgia, 10.11.24
Commodore Record Watch
• Stands fifth on the Dores’ all-time performer list in the 1,650 free, also ranking sixth in the 1,000 free
As a Freshman (2024-25)
• Stands first on the team in the 1,650 free, ranking second and third, respectively, in the 1,000 and 500 free as well
• Recorded career-low times while placing third in the 1,650 free, making the A Final of the 200 and 500 free, and swimming the 100 free at the Tennessee Last Chance Invitational (Feb. 28-March 1)
• Swam the 200 (1:56.72), 500 (5:11.95) and 1,650 (17:35.99) free at the Gamecock Invitational (Nov. 20-22), recording the best marks of her career at that point in the first and last events
• Was runner-up in the 1,000 free and also competed in the 500 free (5:04.00)—with career-low marks at the time in both events—in finale meet of regular season against Southern Illinois (Feb. 1)
• Posted best time of the season in the 200 fly while also swimming the 500 (5:10.58) and 1,000 (10:34.05) free at South Carolina and No. 13 Georgia (Oct. 11)
• Touched the wall third in the 1,000 free (10:34.95), also placing fourth in the 500 free (5:14.96) in match-up with Arkansas (Jan. 17)
• Competed in the 500 (5:12.51) and 1,000 (10:37.58) free at the House of ’Paign Invite hosted by Illinois (Oct. 25-26)
• Earned a fourth-place finish in the 1,000 free (10:44.85) and took part in the 500 free (5:15.27) at home meet against Kentucky (Jan. 3)
• Finished fourth in the 1,000 free (10:50.68) and also swam the 500 free (5:18.93) while making her collegiate debut at Tulane (Sept. 27)
The Zieminick File
• Plans to major in neuroscience
• Swam for both West High and Tennessee Aquatics on the prep level
• Rated the No. 3 prospect in Tennessee
• Named All-PrepXtra by the Knoxville News Sentinel each of her last two seasons
• Was a finalist for the Knoxville News Sentinel Swimmer of the Year as a junior
• Advanced to the final of the 200 free, and was part of the Rebels’ 400 free and 200 medley relays at the TISCA Championship her senior season
• Finished third in the 1,650 free at the 2024 GA DYNA Southern Premier meet
• Claimed the 200 free and was runner-up in the 500 free at the Knox-area Interscholastic Swim League city championship in January 2024
• Placed in the top five in the 50 and 500 free as well as the 200 IM at the SE Tennessee Aquatics January Invitational earlier that month
• Won both the 200 and 500 free at the Ray Buzzard Invitational her senior season also
• Advanced to the final of the 500 free at the TISCA Championship when she was a junior, also competing on the team’s 200 and 400 free relays
• Named West HS Team MVP each of her last two seasons
• Won the 100 free and was third in the 200 IM at the 2023 Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Association championship while competing for the Knoxville Racquet Club
• A member of the National Honor Society
• Selected West High’s outstanding biology student in 2023
• Daughter of Sheri and Mike Zieminick
• Has one younger brother, Carter
Why Vanderbilt: “I chose Vanderbilt for the excellent academics and close-knit swim team. As soon as I stepped on deck, the girls and coaches made me feel right at home. I can’t wait for these next four years!! Anchor Down!”