Axana Merckx is joining a rare group of swimmers from Kelowna earning an NCAA Division 1 athletic scholarship.

The Kelowna AquaJets Swim Club member has made a verbal commitment to join the University of Arizona Wildcats’ swim team for the Pac-12 Conference 2019-20 season.

Photo Credit: Renee KarnashMerckx, a 17-year-old Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School student, specializes in the individual medley but also is among the top young swimmers in Canada in the backstroke and breaststroke.

As well as having competed in the finals at the Canadian Swimming Championships and the Canadian Swimming Trials, Merckx is also the 2018 provincial champion in the long-course 400-metre IM, and short-course 100- and 200-metre backstroke.

Photo Credit: ContributedHer personal-best times in the 400 IM are 4:50.83 (short course) and  4:56.83 (long-course) while her PBs in the 200 IM are 2:18.11 and 2:20.09. 

As well as making an official visit to Arizona, Merckx also visited  Northeastern University in Boston and talked with several other NCAA schools including Rutgers in New Jersey.

“I am very happy to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Arizona,” said Merckx, who will be an international relations undergrad with plans to attend law school afterward. “They’re more than a school and a swim team, they’re a family. And because of that, my decision was easy.

“ I’d like to thank coach Augie (Busch) for giving me this opportunity and all of the team for making me feel welcome. I can’t wait for the next four years as a Wildcat! Bear down!!”

Merckx and her AquaJets teammates begin the competitive 2018-19 swim season this weekend in Penticton and will play host to the annual KAJ Fall Invitational Nov. 17-18 at the H2O.