Denton Smith

Class:
Freshman
Position:
Freestyle/Butterfly
Hometown:
Scottsdale, Ariz.
High School:
Saguaro HS

Career Honors and Awards

Winner of Outstanding Student-Athlete Award (GPA of 3.50+) at team banquet

2022-23 Freshman Season: Winner of Outstanding Student-Athlete Award (GPA of 3.50+) at team banquet ... First Chance Meet: earned first in the 500 free (4:29.44), second in the 200 fly (1:50.68) and third in the 400 IM (4:04.86) ... Minnesota Invite: came in 15th in the 400 IM finals (4:01.25), 26th in the 200 fly finals (1:51.17) and 36th in the 500 free prelims (4:31.71); also part of the 800 free relay that came in 12th (6:37.44) ... Wisconsin Dual: claimed seventh in the 500 free (4:38.86) and 200 fly (1:52.56); also part of the 400 free relay that was fifth (3:11.74) ... St. Thomas/South Dakota State Tri-Dual: took first in the 500 free (4:39.19) and 200 fly (1:53.00 ... SMU Dual: finished seventh in the 1000 free (9:43.69) and 400 IM (4:10.69) ... South Dakota Dual: made collegiate debut by placing third in the 500 free (4:47.58) and fourth in the 1000 free (9:53.43)

Prep: Attended Saguaro High School where he earned four letters in swimming … helped his team to a state championship as a junior, its first in 41 years … member of relay state champion as a junior and took home an individual state title as a sophomore … four-time team MVP and was a team captain … part of two school record relay teams and finished career in the top three of four individual events … was a four-time winner of the Scholar-Athlete Award … swam at the club level for Phoenix Swim Club since 2016 … twice won the team's Coaches Award

Personal: Parents are Matthew and Shalayne Smith … has two younger brothers, Bronson and Treyton, and a younger sister, Faith … dad, Matthew, swam at Iowa …grandfather, Darryl Blair, competed in men's gymnastics at Arizona State … uncle, Cameron Blair, played football at Illinois State … uncles, Roderick Blair and Tyler Blair, both, played baseball at Grand Canyon … plans to major in biology … hobbies include making sushi, fishing with friends and playing the drums

Why Minnesota: "I chose the University of Minnesota because of its amazing coaching staff, beautiful facilities, the abundance of resources, phenomenal team environment, and academic excellence."