Carson senior Dagen Kipling signs his letter of intent to swim for UNLV Thursday with the support of some of his CHS teammates.
When Carson High’s Dagen Kipling started the recruiting process, UNLV wasn’t on his radar.
In the end though, Kipling’s journey brought him back to his home state.
Kipling, the Senators’ best swimmer, signed a national letter of intent on Thursday to attend UNLV. He chose the Rebels over UConn, University of Cincinnati and Division II powerhouse Drury.
“I went to a club meet in Las Vegas, and my dad and I got to talking, and we decided to engage UNLV and see where it went,” Kipling said in a telephone interview earlier this week. “When I got down there on campus, it was really a good fit compared to the other schools. It was the best fit athletically and academically.”
And, the Rebels are happy to have him.
“He was an in-state recruit and that made it pretty easy (to be on our radar),” UNLV coach Bobby Folan said. “He fit the events that we had a void in after this past season.
“He’s pretty talented, but he is raw. He has improved a lot recently, and we’re excited about getting him in here in the weight program and being around similar-aged swimmers.”
Folan said he’s counting on Kipling to swim the 200 and 400 individual medleys and one other individual event.
Folan likes Kipling’s versatility. The UNLV coach feels he will be able to plug him in any of the four individual events at conference meets.
Kipling admitted geography played a role in his decision.
“It (being close) is a really big perk,” said the Carson senior. “I remember flying to Cincinnati on a recruiting trip and thinking it’s not easy to get there.
“Flying to Cincinnati or UConn, it takes as much time to fly there as it does to drive to Las Vegas.”
Kipling plans to major in political science with a minor in philosophy.
“I want to go to law school, and I’d definitely like to go to law school at UNLV,” Kipling aid. “I’d like to stay where I do my undergrad work.”
Kipling said law school usually takes three years.
For now, though, he’s turning his attention to finishing out his high school career.
Kipling is swimming the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke for the Senators with an eye on a state title in one or both individual events. He has made state every year since entering Carson.
“Last year I was second in the 200 IM,” Kipling said. “I’ve improved a lot this season, so I think I have a pretty good shot at taking home a state title. I think I have a shot in the 100 breast as well.
“High school swimming is the fun part. It’s more laid back. State is very competitive, though.”
Kipling swam the 500 free last year and took third in state.
The Carson senior said switching to the Lakeridge team in Reno helped him immensely.
“I swam for the Tigersharks until I was 15, and then they had a coaching change and I decided to switch teams,” Kipling said.
One thing that may have to change is Kipling’s wardrobe. Red may have to be his new favorite color. Certainly he better not wear any silver and blue around his new campus.
“Being a northern Nevada kid you don’t like the Rebels,” Kipling said. “I was a little nervous to go on that recruiting trip. The entire team was amazing, though.”