FRESHMAN (2011-12): Banach submitted a stellar freshman season in which she achieved four first-place finishes and nine in the top three, all coming in breaststroke events. Banach highlighted her first season as a Razorback at the Rice Invitational, placing first in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:15.55. The mark was Arkansas’ second-fastest of the season in the event, and was an NCAA ‘B cut qualifying time. Banach also placed first in the 200 breast against Kansas, and in the 100 breast against Kansas and Vanderbilt. Her top 100 breast time of the season came in her first-ever SEC Championships, where Banach clocked a time of 1:03.07.

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB: Banach, an accomplished breaststroker, graduated from Hof Hasharon High School in 2011. She swam for Happoel Eilat Club in Eilat, Israel and brings a wealth of international experience to the Razorbacks. She swam at the European Junior Championships in Belgrade in 2008, the World Championships in Rome in 2009, and the European Championships in Budapest in 2010. Banach is the Israeli record holder in the 50, 100, and 200 breaststroke.

PERSONAL: Julia Banach was born May 3, 1992 in the Ukraine to Sergey and Olga Banach. She grew up in Israel and has one younger sister, Anna. Her father Sergey is a swim coach in Israel. Banach came to Arkansas because of the combination of high level athletics and academics, and plans to major in graphic design.