Northwood High School's Shawn Lou has announced his verbal commitment to swim for Columbia University Lions class of 2022. Photos courtesy of Shawn Lou and Mitch Mallough.
Shawn Lou, a senior at Northwood High School, has announced his verbal commitment to swim in the Ivy League for Columbia University Lions class of 2022.
A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and NISCA All-American, Lou is primarily a sprint freestyler who contributed to Northwood's 3rd place team finish at the 2017 CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championships by placing 7th in the 200 free, and 11th in the 100 free, and by swimming legs on the 7th-place 200 medley relay and 4th-place 400 free relay.
In high school swimming he specializes in sprint freestyle, but extends his range to include back, breast, and IM in club swimming. Lou's time improvements were evenly spread out at this year's Pacific Coast League Championships. The 200 free proved to be his strongest event where he set a Northwood High School record in 1:39.21.
Shawn Lou - NHS Roster Profile
Lou does his club swimming with Irvine Novaquatics. He had an excellent long-course season, lowering his personal bests in the 50/100/200 free, 100/200 back, 100 breast, and 200 IM. At Summer Junior Nationals last August in East Meadows, New York, he competed in the 50/100/200 free, and both 4x100/4x200 Relays.
His lifetime-bests would have placed him 12th-200 free, 22nd-50/100 free, and 21st-100 breast at the 2017 Ivy League Championships.
Lou also has international experience racing at the MLC Aquatic Invitational SCM swim meet in Melbourne, Australia.
Lou will be enrolled at Columbia University majoring in Computer Science.
Here's a look at his best times:
| Event |
SCY |
LCM |
| 200 Free |
1:38.48 |
1:54.55 |
| 100 Free |
45.33 |
52.32 |
| 50 Free |
21.05 |
24.39 |
| 100 Breast |
58.57 |
1:11.59 |
| 200 IM |
1:55.51 |
2:13.67 |
| 100 Back |
51.65 |
1:01.71 |
“I am extremely excited to announce my commitment to Columbia University. The team dynamic, supportive coaches, and amazing academic institution in a world class city is what made me choose Columbia. The coaches and team made me feel like I would fit right in, and their motivation will help me achieve my swimming goals. I can pursue my goals in and out of the pool to achieve success in my life."
Roar Lion, Roar!!!” - Shawn Lou
