Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech swim and dive added a new student-athlete to their 2020-21 roster when Southwest Virginia native Khalil Fonder announced his transfer from Arizona State to join the Hokies.
The incoming junior will enroll at Tech this fall and will be eligible to participate in the upcoming 2020-21 season.
While at Arizona State, Fonder competed in the 2019 Pac-12 Championships finishing eighth in the 100 butterfly and 14th in the 100 backstroke. He was also a member of the 200 and 400 medley relay team that competed in the 2019 NCAAs prelims.
"I could not be happier to have the caliber of swimmer like Khalil Fonder join the Hokie Family," head coach Sergio Lopez Miro said. "After speaking with and getting to know him, I believe he will have a positive impact on our team not just in the water but as a person, too.
"Our team has been taking steady and good steps towards competing with the best in the country, and now with Khalil being a Hokie, we just took a big jump forward. It is exciting times for the Virginia Tech swimming & diving program."
Fonder grew up in Vinton, Virginia and attended William Byrd High School – just 40 miles from the Blacksburg campus. He swims for the Virginia Gators, a local club based in Roanoke.
Before his time in Tempe, Fonder was a high school standout winning a total of eight state titles while setting multiple VHSL state records. He was also a two-time recipient of the Timesland boys swimmer of the year award and received three All-America honors. Fonder competed in the 100 backstroke at the 2016 U.S. Olympic trials.