West Ottawa grad Derek Maas will swim at NYU while in medical school
HOLLAND - Derek Maas is heading to medical school - but he isn't done in the pool just yet.
The Alabama All-American and NCAA Elite 90 winner is taking his remaining COVID year of eligibility to swim at New York University (NYU) as he pursues his dream of becoming a doctor.
"The NYU Grossman School of Medicine had been my dream school for several years," Derek Maas said. "Becoming a physician is a lifelong goal of mine, and never would have been possible without everyone who has supported me along the way. I am humbled by the opportunity, and I am dedicated to using my education to make a positive impact on the world."
Maas was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 2016 and 2021 and reached the A final in the breaststroke last year at the NCAA Division I Championships.
Now, he will make the move to Division III at NYU, where breaststroke records might be on alert.
The 100 breaststroke record is 50.94 set by Olympian Andrew Wilson, who also holds the 200 breaststroke record at 1:50.80. The 200 IM mark is 1:44.18, also set by Wilson.
His 200 breaststroke time is 1:51.53 and 200 IM is 1:42.59, better than Wilson's DIII mark.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to represent NYU and NYUGSOM as a member of the swim team," Maas said. "It’s a Division I-level (DIII) program with incredible facilities and elite coaching, and the talent on the team itself goes without saying. The prospect of continuing to compete in the NCAA thrills me, and I think we have an opportunity to do some damage in the spring. I love the sport of swimming and hope to continue spreading my passion."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: West Ottawa grad Derek Maas will swim at NYU while in medical school
