Karl Helmuth, Luke Paxton Announce In-State Verbals to Ohio State for 2021-22 Season

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

NEW COMMITS: The Ohio State University has picked up a pair of in-state verbal commitments for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Karl Helmuth of North Canton and Fairfield native Luke Paxton.

Both swimmers will suit up for the Buckeyes as members of the class of 2025.

KARL HELMUTH

Photo Courtesy: Karl Helmuth Instagram (@karl.helmuth1)

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I am incredibly excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic careers at The Ohio State University! I would like to thank God, my coaches, my teammates, my friends, my family, and most importantly my parents for being by my side through this process and helping me to get to this point in life. I choose Ohio State not only because of their commitment to my success in the pool, but also because of their commitment to my success as a student and to my life after college. Go Buckeyes!”

Helmuth, who has achieved two U.S. Open cuts, does his club swimming with Massillon Aquatic Club and finished fourth in the 100 breast and fifth in the 200 breast at the 2019 YMCA SCY Nationals Championships. Last summer, he notched four lifetime bests at Cleveland Sectionals before going on to take 12th in the 200m breast and 19th in the 100m breast at Junior Nationals.

His best times include:

100 breast – 55.77
200 breast – 2:02.56
200 IM – 1:52.03

A current junior at Hoover High School, Helmuth is a five-time Ohio State Championship finalist. He competed in the 100 breast and 200 IM in 2020 while taking fourth in the 100 breast and ninth in the 100 free during his sophomore season. Helmuth also raced to 11th in the 100 breast as a freshman.

LUKE PAXTON

Photo Courtesy: Luke Paxton Instagram (@luke_paxton2644)

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m more than proud to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at THE Ohio State University. Can’t thank my coaches, family, and teammates enough for all the support. Go Bucks!”

A versatile swimmer, Paxton owns six Junior National standards (or faster) while swimming year-round with Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA. He finished 15th in the 100 fly at Juniors East in December where he recorded five best times and took 10th in that event at YMCA SCY Nationals last spring. He had a trio of top-5 finishes at YMCA LCM Nationals this past summer.

His best times include:

100 free – 45.68
200 free – 1:38.60
100 back – 49.88
100 fly – 48.76

Also competing for Badin High School, Paxton is a three-time Ohio State Championship finalist. He won the 200 free this past season after taking eighth in that event as well as fifth in the 100 fly as a sophomore.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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