Kananowicz taking talents to SEC pool

| October 3, 2013 9:00 PM

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

The hard work has paid off for Bryce Kananowicz.

Kananowicz, who swims for the Lake City High swim team, verbally committed to South Carolina on Sunday.

"It feels great," Kananowicz said. "It feels like all the constant hard work for training - on those days when I didn't want to get up - have paid off. I really pushed myself to get to that point. I really wouldn't be where I'm at without my coaches and parents. Hard work really pays off. It's great and good to see all that work paying off."

Kananowicz is the top-ranked male swimmer in the state this year, according to CollegeSwimming.com, which ranked him 99th nationally.

Among the 100 schools showing interest, Kananowicz also took official visits to Alabama, Auburn, Denver and Louisville.

"With all those schools, they really roll out the red carpet," Kananowicz said. "They show you all kinds of love and telling you anything to get you there. I hope it's not lip service, but you can see those that truly mean it."

Kananowicz can officially sign with South Carolina on Nov. 13.

"It's still pretty early in the process, but to get it done quick and early is great," Kananowicz said. "I think it's the best fit for me. They've got the best college coach and it felt like this is where I'd succeed the best."

Bob Wood, who has coached Kananowicz with the Coeur d'Alene Area Swim Team for the past eight years, agrees.

"It's a good fit for him," Wood said. "They see a tremendous upside for him. Coming from North Idaho, this can really push him to the next level. The SEC (Southeastern Conference) is a great conference to swim in and against. In Bryce, they see someone that can get to the NCAAs and put some points on the board."

Kananowicz won the 200-yard individual medley for the second-straight year at last year's state swim meet. This year's meet is Nov. 1-2 at the Boise West YMCA.

"He felt like it was a good fit at South Carolina," Wood said. "When he got there, it felt like home and he immediately bonded with some of the swimmers. He got to go to all the big schools and he felt like that was it. There was never a doubt in his mind that's where he wanted to go after five hours."