Re-Rank: Prime 20 NCAA Swimming Recruits In The Girls’ High School Class of 2026

Our annual NCAA recruiting rankings return. This 12 months, we’re opening issues with our re-rank of the graduating highschool seniors earlier than we check out the highest recruits within the present sophomore and junior lessons.

As recruiting lessons get nearer to precise NCAA competitors, we begin to weigh sure components extra closely: NCAA scoring occasions change into extra necessary, and we are likely to worth one or two standout occasions a bit extra closely (in comparison with a variety of simply first rate occasions) than we’d for a highschool sophomore who has extra time to develop throughout the board. Having already ranked this class a couple of 12 months in the past, we additionally get a clearer image of momentum and trajectory: which recruits are persevering with to drop time all through their senior seasons, and which have stagnated.

You can look again on our authentic ranks for this class beneath, however do do not forget that these ranks are merely a snapshot in time – we didn’t have a working crystal ball then, nor can we now:

THIS CLASS

• Very versatile class with the vast majority of top-ranked recruits being elite throughout a number of disciplines.
• Developing dash freestyle class—outdoors of Rylee Erisman. Sprint free are arguably the occasions the place feminine swimmers have a tendency to enhance essentially the most in school, and Erisman is the one one on paper who scores within the 50, 100 or 200 free proper now, however many are closing in.
• Very sturdy distance freestyle class, with 4 swimmers quick sufficient to attain within the 1650 free already.
• High-end backstroke class, with two recruits quick sufficient to attain in each distances.
• Relatively weak breaststroke class, although Molly Sweeney emerged as a little bit of an outlier this 12 months within the 200.
• Elite group of butterfly swimmers with 5 women below 1:55 within the 200 and two sub-51 within the 100.
• Very deep medley class, although there aren’t many pure IM specialists and extra all-arounders.

TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2026

**The 1000 free isn’t an occasion on the Division I NCAA Championships, however is swum as an alternative of the 1650 in lots of Division I twin meets and is a part of the NCAA program in Division II.

THE METHODOLOGY

Our purpose in these rankings is to mirror what school coaches search for in recruits, primarily based on a few years of conversations and protection.

We focus solely on American-based athletes, just because there’s a lot uncertainty with worldwide recruits – in the event that they’ll come to the United States, after they’ll come to the States and with what graduating class they need to be ranked. Projecting worldwide recruits typically turns into extra of a dialogue of when they’ll first be part of a university program and never which program they’ll be part of.

Just a few different components that weigh closely in our rankings:

• Relay Value – Relay factors depend double in school swimming, and any program wants a robust steady of high quality sprinters to fill out all 5 relays with stars. Obviously, a particular distance swimmer can simply rank forward of an excellent 100 freestyler, however school swimming usually values a dash freestyler over a distance swimmer, all different components being equal.
• Improvements – Actual occasions carry essentially the most weight by an extended shot. But we additionally regulate a swimmer’s trajectory, particularly in deciding between two swimmers with comparatively even occasions.
• Short Course over Long Course – whereas each membership and each swimmer may have a special steadiness of focus between brief course and lengthy course swimming, the NCAA competes briefly course yards, and that’s going to be the principle issue thought-about in these rankings. Long course occasions are one other information level for consideration, however we primarily view them by way of the lens of what a giant lengthy course swim might imply for an athlete’s future briefly course.
• NCAA scoring skill – NCAAs are the large present for school groups, so we’ve weighted NCAA scoring potential very extremely. Swimmers who have already got NCAA scoring occasions wind up principally filling out the highest of our rankings. Since school athletic administrators – and by extension coaches – additionally place excessive worth on convention championships, scoring skill at convention meets can also be a think about our rankings.
• Relative depth within the NCAA and recruiting class – a wealth of elite depth nationwide in a single stroke self-discipline makes a giant distinction in what occasions are thought-about extra precious in that occasion. Events rise at totally different charges within the NCAA, however when one occasion will get extraordinarily deep and quick on the school stage, it makes highschool prospects in these occasions rather less precious, comparatively, with a lot of different veteran choices. In the identical means, a recruiting class stacked with swimmers in butterfly, for instance, would make every butterflyer rather less sought-after available in the market, with a lot of different recruiting choices in a position to present related manufacturing.

Of course, there’s no method to predict the long run, and essentially the most concrete information now we have to go on are chilly, exhausting occasions. These rankings under no circumstances imply that each one of those 20 swimmers will likely be NCAA standouts, they usually definitely don’t imply that no swimmer left off this checklist will make large contributions on the NCAA stage.

Disclaimer: There are a lot of highschool seniors within the nation, and no actually good, full, 100% correct itemizing of all of them. If you don’t see your favourite swimmer on the checklist, be at liberty to politely level them out within the feedback. There’s an opportunity that we disagree along with your evaluation of their spot within the prime 20, and as long as it’s achieved civilly, there’s no drawback with variations of opinion. There’s additionally an opportunity that we’ve merely missed a no brainer (we’ve taken each precaution to keep away from that), and if that occurs, we need to ensure that we appropriate it.

BEST OF THE REST

In the Best of the Rest part, we define a number of standouts who didn’t fairly crack the highest 20 or an Honorable Mention spot.

Verbal commitments are listed the place they’ve been reported. Each of those athletes remains to be a particularly high-level recruit:

• Sprint free:
  • Ava De Anda (22.4/48.2/1:45.9, 55.3 FLY, 2:01 IM) **Cal**
  • Alyssa Albertyn (22.7/49.1/1:46.4, 53.9/1:55.1 BK) **Arizona State**
  • Caden Martin (22.2/48.9/1:48.7) **Virginia**
  • McKinley Scobie (22.7/49.1/1:46.5, 53.2 FLY, 54.3 BK) **Army**
  • Ally Vernon (22.8/49.3/1:46.5, 53.7 FLY, 54.7 BK, 2:00 IM) **Virginia Tech**
  • Gioia Balzano (23.3/49.5/1:46.1/4:50.3 FR, 53.8/1:58.3 FLY, 1:58.7 BK) **Michigan**
  • Pilar King (22.5/49.3, 54.0 BK, 53.3 FLY) **Arizona**
• Distance free:
• Backstroke:
  • Virginia Hinds (52.6/1:53.9, 23.0/49.3/1:47.6/4:48.4 FR, 54.0 FLY, 4:18.6 IM) **Georgia**
  • Mia Buff (52.6/1:53.9, 53.0 FLY, 23.4/51.2 FR) **Tennessee**
  • Quinn White (53.3/1:55.3, 23.2/49.9/1:46.8/4:45.9 FR, 1:03.8 BR, 2:00.0/4:18.0 IM) **Duke**
  • Vera Conic (52.5/1:54.4, 2:01.9/4:17.2 IM, 55.2 FLY) **NC State**
• Breaststroke:
• Butterfly:
  • Caroline Mallard (52.4/1:56.2, 23.1/50.4/1:47.0 FR) **Purdue**
  • Vivian Moulson (54.1/1:56.1, 1:59.9/4:11.9 IM, 4:48.6 FR, 1:01.7/2:13.3 BR) **Wisconsin**
  • Tori Yamamura (52.8/1:58.2, 50.9/4:47.5 FR, 2:01.2 IM) **Missouri**
  • Averie Hager (52.5/1:58.4, 22.5/49.6/1:48.4 FR, 2:02.7 IM) **Notre Dame**
  • Emma Belk (52.9/1:58.0, 23.3/50.5/1:50.0 FR) **Indiana**
  • Emma Bronson (52.6/1:59.4, 54.0/2:00.3 BK , 2:03.6 IM) **Alabama**
  • Addison Buckman (52.7, 23.1/50.6 FR, 55.0 BK) **JMU**
• IM:
  • KC Braeger (1:59.0/4:13.0, 52.9/1:55.0 BK, 1:02.8 BR, 53.6/2:00.5 FLY, 23.2/50.0 FR) **Stanford**
  • Maya Hetland (1:58.7/4:13.2, 53.6/1:57.0 FLY, 1:48.3 FR, 1:57.5 BK) **Arizona State**
  • Brooke Bennett (2:00.6/4:14.1, 1:49.0/4:47.7/16:44 FR) **Georgia**
  • Isabel Wolk (2:00.2/4:13.8, 23.2/49.8/1:46.1 FR) **Cal**
  • Taylor Johannsen (2:00.6/4:13.9, 1:49.1/4:49.4 FR) **Miami FL**
  • Lylah Theriac (1:59.6, 23.2/50.5/1:48.9 FR, 55.0 BK, 1:02.3 BR, 53.1 FLY) **Indiana**
  • Elizabeth Bryan (1:59.9/4:14.5, 23.7/50.8/1:49.0 FR, 55.7/1:57.9 BK, 1:01.4/2:13.8 BR) **Navy**

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Paring the checklist down to twenty all the time looks like pulling enamel. This isn’t an exhaustive checklist of others we thought-about, however the prime few left off the checklist who made the choices on 18-20 very troublesome.

Note that in references to the NCAA cutline, we’re utilizing what the cutline would have been below the outdated qualifying format (not the 2026 course of that included auto convention qualifiers).

Hayden Gibson (Previous Rank: 14) – Razorback Aquatic Club Aquahawgs – Haas Hall Academy – Springdale, AR **Committed to Arkansas**

Best Times:

• 200 again: 1:52.88
• 100 again: 53.08
• 400 IM: 4:11.72
• 200 IM: 1:57.95
• 100 fly: 54.36
• 200 fly: 1:59.89
• 100 breast: 1:03.80
• 200 free: 1:50.78
• 100 free: 51.57

One of essentially the most versatile swimmers within the class, Gibson took large steps ahead within the particular person medley occasions final season, dropping shut to 2 seconds in each races. Gibson threw down respective occasions of 1:57.95 and 4:11.72 within the 200 and 400 IM on the Speedo Sectionals in Columbia in mid-March, shattering her finest occasions getting into the season of 1:59.76/4:13.72 and shifting inside 1% of the 2026 NCAA cutline. She additionally went 1:53.68 within the 200 again at that Sectionals meet, and within the 100 again, her season-best stands at 53.35 from Winter Juniors – West in December. Her backstroke private bests stay at 53.08/1:52.88 from 2025, however she hasn’t been far off this season. The Arkansas native, who will keep in-state for her collegiate profession, can also be a robust butterflier and is respectable in free and breast. Like many swimmers, the 200 again/200 IM scheduling battle within the present NCAA schedule may very well be a difficulty for Gibson sooner or later, although it might simply change briefly order. And though she progressed essentially the most in IM the previous season, the 200 again stays her finest occasion on paper, as 1:52.88 is comfortably below the 2026 NCAA cutline (1:53.35).

Brynn Lavigueur (Previous Rank: 12) – Sarasota Sharks – Riverview High School – Sarasota, FL **Verbally dedicated to Texas**

Best Times:

• 100 again: 52.16
• 200 free: 1:45.82
• 100 free: 48.61
• 50 free: 22.45
• 200 IM: 1:57.69
• 200 again: 1:57.82
• 100 breast: 1:01.56

Lavigueur is a well-rounded 100/200 swimmer who’s coming off a robust 12 months that included drops within the majority of her finest occasions. The Texas commit dropped four-tenths to get right down to 52.16 within the 100 again, placing her inside three-tenths of the 2026 NCAA cutline, and he or she additionally knocked three-tenths off her PBs within the dash free occasions to get right down to 22.4/48.6. In arguably her finest occasion, the 200 free, Lavigueur acquired again below 1:46 this previous season, clocking 1:45.94 at Winter Juniors – East to narrowly miss her finest time of 1:45.82 set on the similar meet one 12 months earlier. We can also’t overlook her 200 IM talents, which leveled up final season as a 1:57.6 finest time places her inside three-tenths of the NCAA cutline. The Sarasota Sharks member tasks to be a dependable 100/200 free/backstroker in school with elite relay capabilities, and now the 200 IM has emerged as one other occasion possibility. Based on the 2026 schedule, she would possible swim the 200 free, 100 again, after which both the 100 free or 200 IM on the NCAA Championships. She’ll slot in completely on a Texas staff that’s driving loads of momentum, notably within the 200 free, because the Longhorns positioned 2nd within the 800 free relay on the NCAA Championships with a staff that had no seniors. Lavigueur could not crack the relay as a freshman, however she’ll possible be a giant a part of it later in her profession.

Maddie Thornton (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Bend Swim Club – Bend Senior High School – Bend, OR **Committed to Georgia**

Best Times:

• 200 IM: 1:56.97
• 400 IM: 4:13.72
• 200 again: 1:54.92
• 100 again: 53.10
• 200 free: 1:46.96
• 100 free: 49.49
• 50 free: 22.81
• 100 breast: 1:01.48

A Best of the Rest backstroker final season, Thornton had an explosive senior 12 months that noticed her enhance throughout the board, headlined by her breakout within the particular person medley occasions. The Bend native and Georgia commit dropped three seconds within the 200 IM to get right down to 1:56.97, making her the fourth-fastest swimmer within the class and placing her effectively below the 2026 NCAA cutline (1:57.41). It additionally places her inside placing distance of what it took to attain on the 2026 NCAAs (1:56.43). That 200 IM swim got here at Winter Juniors – West (within the prelims, which she adopted with a 1:57.22 clocking within the last), the place Thornton additionally set finest occasions within the 50 free (22.81), 100 free (49.49), 200 free (1:46.96) and 100 again (53.19), making her a viable free relay possibility sooner or later whereas additionally progressing in what was beforehand considered as her speciality, backstroke. One month previous to that, in November, she acquired right down to 1:54.92 within the 200 again and 1:01.48 within the 100 breast, after which this previous March, she leveled up with a 4:13.72 400 IM. In the 200 again, she dropped almost two seconds from her finest coming into the 2025-26 season, and within the and 400 IM, she hadn’t raced the occasion since 2024 (finest time of 4:29.75) prior to creating it certainly one of her finest occasions this season. Thornton’s NCAA postseason schedule possible revolves across the 200 IM, with each backstrokes and the 400 IM being different viable choices.

Anna Shnowske (Previous Rank: HM) – Quest Swimming – Toano, VA **Committed to Ohio State**

Best Times: 

• 200 fly: 1:55.04
• 100 fly: 52.56
• 200 free: 1:46.12
• 100 free: 49.41
• 50 free: 22.97
• 500 free: 4:49.37
• 200 IM: 2:00.59
• 200 again: 1:58.44
• 100 again: 55.87

Shnowske is coming off a giant brief course season that was headlined by her swims within the 200 fly, nearing NCAA scoring territory after placing up a time of 1:55.04 in late March. Coming into the season with a finest time of 1:56.31, Shnowske matched it at Winter Juniors – East in December, broke 1:56 for the primary time on the Virginia Senior Championships in early March in 1:55.97, after which acquired right down to 1:55.04 on the ISCA International Senior Cup three weeks later. That time places her simply 5 one-hundredths shy of what it took to attain on the 2026 NCAA Championships. The Ohio State commit additionally knocked almost a second off her 200 free (1:46.12) and 100 fly (52.56) finest occasions final season, chipped a little bit of time without work within the 100 free (49.41), and produced a number of 22-point 50 free relay splits for Quest Swimming. An NCAA schedule for Shnowske possible focuses in on the fly occasions and the 800 free relay, with the potential to additionally serve on the Buckeyes’ dash free relays. The NCAA Championship occasion schedule is up within the air proper now, however final season, 200 free and 100 fly coincided, so a doable third occasion may very well be both the 50 or 500 free.

Roos Rottink (Previous Rank: #HM) – Nashville Aquatic Club – Houston High School – Germantown, TN **Committed to Virginia**

Best Times:

• 200 again: 1:54.17
• 100 again: 52.88
• 100 fly: 52.91
• 200 fly: 2:00.12
• 50 free: 22.48
• 100 free: 48.85
• 200 free: 1:47.09
• 200 IM: 2:03.63

Rottink improved in all of her major occasions in her senior 12 months of highschool, with the vast majority of these swims coming on the Winter Junior Championships – East in December. In the 200 again, Rottink set a finest time of 1:55.26 on the 2023 Winter Juniors, after which 12 months later on the similar meet, she went almost the identical time, 1:55.29. After setting her first finest time within the occasion in two years within the 2025 prelims (1:55.02), Rottink broke by way of with a 1:54.17 clocking within the last, ending 4th general and turning into the seventh-fastest swimmer on this class. She additionally set finest occasions within the 50 free (22.48), 100 free (48.85) and 100 fly (52.91) on the meet, displaying off her sprinting prowess, after which on the Speedo Southern Premier in March, she added new PBs within the 200 free (1:47.09) and 100 again (52.88). Headed to Virginia, Rottink tasks to be a flexible sprinter throughout free, again and fly—an identical skillset to the likes of Gretchen Walsh and Sara Curtis, with the addition of additionally being sturdy within the 200 again. Based on the 2026 NCAA schedule, a 100 fly/100 again/200 again lineup is smart for Rottink, although she might simply swap within the 100 free for the 200 again if she takes on extra of a dash focus in school. And clearly primarily based on her talents, she’ll be a key participant on future Cavalier relays.

Eva Rottink (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Nashville Aquatic Club – Houston High School – Germantown, TN **Committed to Indiana**

Best Times:

• 100 again: 51.99
• 100 fly: 52.88
• 200 again: 1:55.89
• 200 free: 1:49.43
• 100 free: 50.56
• 50 free: 23.17

Rottink’s efficiency within the 100 again on the TISCA State Championships in February made it not possible to maintain her out of the Honorable Mentions this 12 months. A BOTR backstroker final 12 months with a PB of 53.19, Rottink set a finest time of 53.00 at Winter Juniors – East in December, after which, lower than two months later on the Tennessee State Championships, she broke 53 for the primary time within the prelims of the 100 again (52.88), after which unleashed a time of 51.99 within the last to win the title. The Indiana commit additionally set finest occasions within the 50 again (24.48) and 100 fly (52.88) on the meet, displaying that she’s evolving into a standard backstroke/butterfly sprinter who might dial in on each 100s in school. She’s additionally improved within the 50, 100 and 200 free this previous season, although she’ll want continued growth there if she’s to be a future relay contributor. The 200 again might find yourself being her #3 occasion in school, having set a finest time of 1:55.89 in December 2024, after which almost matching it this previous season in 1:55.98.

Eliza Wallace (Previous Rank: #16) – Mecklenburg Swim Association – Ardrey Kell High School – Charlotte, NC **Committed to Tennessee**

Best Times:

• 100 breast: 59.36
• 200 breast: 2:12.34
• 50 free: 23.14
• 100 free: 50.25
• 200 free: 1:50.41
• 200 IM: 2:02.96

Wallace was the highest 100 breaststroker within the class throughout final 12 months’s rankings, and although she’s been overtaken by Molly Sweeney, she stays an elite recruit coming in for Tennessee. Wallace could not have improved her 100 breast finest time of 59.36 this previous season, however she acquired shut, going 59.38 in November, which was certainly one of 4 sub-1:00 swims she produced in 2025-26. She additionally produced 26.94/59.27 dash breaststroke relay splits at Winter Juniors – East, which point out she’ll be a future medley relay member for the Lady Vols. Wallace did set finest occasions final season within the 200 breast, going from 2:14.02 to 2:12.34, and he or she additionally hit PBs within the 200 IM (2:02.96) and 100 free (50.25). The Mecklenburg Swim Association product could also be a pure breaststroker in school, however her dash free and 200 IM occasions aren’t far off being viable #3 choices as effectively.

TOP 20 SWIMMERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2026

20. Riley Anderson (Previous Rank: #17) – West Hartford Aquatic Team – Manchester High School – Colchester, CT **Committed to Duke**

Best Times:

• 50 free: 22.07
• 100 free: 48.82
• 100 fly: 52.88
• 200 fly: 2:00.54
• 200 free: 1:48.56
• 100 again: 54.90

Anderson was on hearth within the 50 free final season, bringing her finest time down almost four-tenths to 22.07. During final 12 months’s rankings article, her finest time sat at 22.43, and over the previous season, she’s gone quicker on 5 separate events. After dropping right down to 22.20 in November, Anderson blasted her new finest time of twenty-two.07 on the CRA Winter Invitational in December, which ranks her third on this class and likewise would rank her #3 all-time in Duke historical past. At that very same meet, she broke 49 seconds for the primary time within the 100 free, clocking 48.82 to change into certainly one of simply seven on this class sub-49. Her #3 occasion is the 100 fly, and though her finest time of 52.88 stands from the 2025 Speedo Sectionals in Ithaca, she produced a number of 53-point swims this previous season, together with going 53.03 on the Ithaca Sectionals this 12 months. The West Hartford Aquatic Team product additionally has a 23.91 50 fly flat begin swim on her resume, making her an possibility for both free or fly medley relay duties for the Blue Devils to go together with being the long run centerpiece of the 200 and 400 free relays.

19. Maya Schweikert (Previous Rank: 20) – Mason Manta Rays – Kings Mills High School – Maineville, OH **Committed to Georgia**

Best Times:

• 200 again: 1:52.03
• 100 again: 52.00
• 100 fly: 52.93
• 200 IM: 1:59.55
• 400 IM: 4:18.89
• 50 free: 23.33
• 100 free: 50.49
• 200 free: 1:49.05
• 200 fly: 2:03.49

Schweikert confirmed marked enchancment throughout the board final season, most notably knocking greater than a second off her finest time within the 200 again and a half-second within the 100 again to maneuver her into the category’s higher echelon amongst backstrokers. The Mason Manta Rays product is the fourth-fastest within the 200 again after dropping a time of 1:52.03 on the Ohio Tim Myers SC Senior Championships in March, a swim that basically matches what it took to attain on the 2026 NCAAs (1:51.97). Two weeks earlier, Schweikert set new bests within the 100 again (52.00) and 100 fly (52.96) on the OHSAA Southwest District Championships, placing her inside placing distance of the NCAA cutline within the 100 again (51.83) and inside a second of it within the 100 fly (52.03). She adopted up by successful state titles in each races a number of days later, including in a noteworthy 23.89 50 fly relay cut up for Kings Mills High School. Back in December at Winter Juniors – East, Schweikert reset her finest occasions within the 50, 100 and 200 free, 50 again, 100 fly, and most notably dropped greater than three seconds within the 200 IM, getting right down to 1:59.55. Headed to Georgia, Schweikert seems to be like a 100/200 backstroker who additionally swims the 100 fly as her third occasion, however her growth within the 200 IM might additionally show to be an asset. She’s additionally continued to make enhancements in free, although there’s nonetheless a little bit of time to drop if she’s to serve on UGA’s ‘A’ relays.

18. Paige Downey (Previous Rank: #11) – Gold Medal Swim Club – Gilbert, AZ **Committed to Indiana**

Best Times:

• 1650 free: 16:03.94
• 1000 free: 9:36.52
• 500 free: 4:44.68
• 200 free: 1:48.90
• 400 IM: 4:16.02
• 200 fly: 1:57.56
• 100 fly: 55.18
• 200 again: 1:59.88

One of the most effective milers within the class, Downey lowered her finest time within the 1650 free by half a second to 16:03.94 this previous season, which might’ve positioned twelfth on the 2026 NCAA Championships. In reality, Downey has 4 swims on her resume below what it took to attain at NCAAs final season. She went 16:06.16 at Winter Juniors – West in December 2024, dropped to 16:04.45 on the 2025 Speedo Sectionals in Austin, after which this previous season, clocked 16:06.14 at Winter Juniors –West earlier than getting right down to 16:03.94 on the Arizona Senior State Championships at first of March. Outside of the mile, Downey improved within the 500 free final season, dropping about half a second to 4:44.68, which is inside 1% of the NCAA cutline, and he or she additionally set a PB of 1:48.90 within the 200 free. Her 200 fly (1:57.56) and 400 IM (4:16.02) are additionally aggressive, inside 2% and three% of the 2026 cutline, respectively. Last summer time, Downey received the ladies’ 1500 free U.S. Junior National LCM title, defeating the 2 quickest milers on this class, Sydney Schoeck and Kayla Han, within the course of. The lengthy course and brief course mile are vastly totally different races, however nonetheless, that victory reveals Downey can step up and ship below strain at a taper meet, which is essential for school success.

17. Kayda Geyer (Previous Rank: HM) – Mecklenburg Swim Association – Union Academy High School – Waxhaw, NC **Committed to Colorado State**

Best Times:

• 200 breast: 2:08.91
• 100 breast: 59.61
• 400 IM: 4:12.39
• 200 IM: 2:00.74

Geyer is coming off a giant season that noticed her enhance from being a 1:00.6/2:11.0 breaststroker right now final 12 months to among the best within the class at 59.6/2:08.9. The Colorado State commit actually constructed into the season. At Winter Juniors – East in December, she went 1:01.90 within the 100 breast and a pair of:12.08 within the 200 breast. Three months later, on the Speedo Sectionals in Cary, she received three particular person titles, claiming the 100 breast (59.61), 200 breast (2:08.91) and 400 IM (4:12.39), all in private finest style, whereas including a fourth PB within the 200 IM (2:00.74). Geyer is certainly one of solely 4 swimmers within the class sub-1:00 within the 100 breast and certainly one of solely two below 2:10 within the 200 breast. On prime of that, each her breaststroke finest occasions are below the NCAA cutline (the 100 breast is correct on), and he or she’s simply over a half-second outdoors of scoring place within the 200 (2:08.35 was sixteenth final season). In 2026, Colorado State solely despatched one swimmer to NCAAs, rising senior Tess Whineray, and with the addition of Geyer, they might very effectively double that in 2027. We can also’t overlook that Geyer represented the U.S. on the World Junior Championships final August, inserting Eighth within the women’ 200 breast and 14th within the 100 breast.

16. Taylor Klein (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Mecklenburg Swim Association – Charlotte Country Day School – Charlotte, NC **Committed to Stanford**

Best Times:

• 200 fly: 1:54.79
• 100 fly: 52.63
• 200 free: 1:47.20
• 100 free: 49.80
• 50 free: 22.67
• 200 IM: 2:00.90
• 100 again: 54.25
• 200 again: 1:56.83

A Best of the Rest recruit in final 12 months’s rankings, Klein had a giant senior 12 months of highschool that noticed her reset each finest time listed above, apart from the 200 again, which she solely swam as soon as in 2025-26. Klein entered final season with finest occasions of 53.9/1:57.8 within the butterfly occasions, and noticed huge progress, dropping right down to 52.63 within the 100 and 1:54.79 within the 200. The 200 fly swim specifically stands out, as Klein roared to victory within the occasion on the Speedo Sectionals in Cary, placing her two-tenths below what it took to attain on the 2026 NCAA Championships. At Winter Juniors – East in December, she set new finest occasions within the 50 free (22.67), 100 free (49.80), 200 free (1:47.94), 100 fly (52.70), 200 fly (1:56.37) and 200 IM (2:00.90), after which she went on to re-lower each butterfly marks and the 200 free on the Sectionals in March. Her 100 fly time of 52.63 is simply six-tenths shy of the NCAA cutline, whereas within the 200 free, her 1:47.20 clocking marked a three-and-a-half-second finest time relative to the place she was getting into the season (1:50.83). The future Stanford Cardinal will possible give attention to the 100 and 200 fly in school, with the 200 free possible remaining in her wheelhouse for 800 free relay functions. Based on the present schedule, she could flip to the 50 free as her third particular person occasion because of the battle between the 100 fly and 200 free.

15. Alyce Lehman (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Jersey Wahoos – Bishop Eustace Prep School – Haddonfield, NJ **Committed to Stanford**

Best Times:

• 200 fly: 1:53.84
• 100 fly: 52.76
• 500 free: 4:47.06
• 200 free: 1:46.43
• 400 IM: 4:14.13
• 200 IM: 2:00.56
• 1650 free: 16:59.49

Lehman is the second-fastest swimmer within the class within the 200 fly, and ranked #1 amongst highschool seniors final season after dropping a time of 1:53.84 on the Speedo Southern Premier in early March. Coming into the 2025-26 season with a finest time of 1:56.46, Lehman lowered her PB 4 occasions this season, together with going 1:54.25 in early February previous to her 1:53 breakthrough in March. Her finest time is greater than a second below the scoring threshold on the 2026 NCAAs (1:54.99) and is barely six-tenths shy of what it took to make the ‘A’ last (1:53.24). In the 100 fly, she knocked seven-tenths off her finest time final season in 52.76, whereas her 200 free (1:46.43) and 400 IM (4:14.13) additionally noticed notable development, dropping three seconds within the former and 5 seconds within the latter over the previous 12 months. From Regan Smith to Charlotte Hook, Lillie Nordmann and Caroline Bricker, Stanford has constantly had elite 200 butterfliers on its roster in latest seasons, and Lehman seems to be like she’ll proceed that custom. Given that the 100 fly, 200 free and 400 IM all fall on the identical day within the present NCAA schedule, the 200 fly is the one lock in Lehman’s lineup. The 500 free may very well be one other potential race she takes on, having dropped six seconds final season to clock 4:47.06, inside 2% of the NCAA cutline.

14. Elizabeth Eichbrecht (Previous Rank: 15) – Supernova Swim Team – West Bloomfield High School – Farmington Hills, MI **Committed to Indiana**

Best Times:

• 1650 free: 16:06.54
• 1000 free: 9:39.02
• 500 free: 4:41.54
• 200 free: 1:45.05
• 100 free: 49.06
• 50 free: 22.88
• 200 fly: 1:58.79
• 100 fly: 53.58
• 400 IM: 4:16.74
• 200 IM: 2:01.74
• 100 again: 55.94

Eichbrecht often is the most versatile swimmer on this class, at the moment sitting as one of many quickest within the 1650 free, proudly owning a sub-23 finest time within the 50 free, and proudly owning a complete of seven PBs which can be inside 3% of the 2026 NCAA cutline or higher. On paper, her finest occasion is the 1650 free, having dropped greater than 41 seconds final season to clock 16:06.54 on the Michigan Open in February, placing her two seconds below the scoring cut-off on the 2026 NCAAs. She dropped two seconds final season within the 500 free, getting right down to 4:41.54 in early November to get below the 2026 cutline, and adopted up by successful the MHSAA D1 title in 4:42.89 (going 4:42.00 within the prelims) and likewise went 4:41.63 at Winter Juniors – East, displaying consistency within the occasion. She additionally received the Michigan highschool state title within the 200 free, setting a brand new finest time of 1:45.05 within the prelims, and led off the West Bloomfield relays with new bests within the 50 free (22.88) and 100 free (49.33). She re-lowered her 100 free finest on the Michigan ULTRA Championships in late March, clocking 49.06, and likewise reset her bests within the 200 fly (1:58.79) and 400 IM (4:16.74) earlier within the season. With fellow distance standouts Kayla Han, Paige Downey and Anne Dickinson additionally headed to Indiana, the Hoosiers are constructing a robust distance crew, and Eichbrecht will likely be a key centerpiece of that. The 200 free possible figures into her NCAA occasion lineup alongside the five hundred and 1650, and taking a look at how Indiana’s 800 free relay confirmed out at NCAAs and nabbed a fifth-place end, led by Liberty Clark, Eichbrecht might problem for a spot on that staff as quickly as subsequent season.

13. Clare Watson (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Bellevue Club Swim Team – Mercer Island High School – Mercer Island, WA **Committed to Stanford**

Best Times: 

• 200 fly: 1:54.29
• 100 fly: 51.75
• 100 again: 53.42
• 200 again: 1:57.22
• 200 IM: 1:59.21
• 200 free: 1:47.61
• 100 free: 49.68
• 50 free: 22.93
• 500 free: 4:53.15

Another Stanford commit and butterfly specialist, Watson owns the deadly mixture of being sub-52 within the 100 and sub-1:55 within the 200 fly, certainly one of solely two swimmers within the class to carry that distinction. Like Lehman, Watson was a BOTR fly swimmer in final 12 months’s rankings, however made large strides in her senior 12 months, reducing her 100 fly finest time by over a second en path to the WIAA 3A state title in 51.75. That’s effectively below the NCAA cutline (52.03) and inside placing distance of the scoring threshold (51.33). In the 200 fly, her finest time of 1:57.56 had been on the books for greater than two years, set in March 2023, when she lastly lowered it to 1:56.55 at Winter Juniors – West in December. Then, on the BC Premier Invitational in March, she unleashed her new finest time of 1:54.29, notably preserving all 50 splits below 30 seconds. In the Winter Juniors last, she closed in 29.80, however was 31-plus on the second 50, in order that back-end velocity was there, however she managed to develop her third 50 within the months main as much as the BC Premier Invitational. In addition to the fly occasions, the Bellevue Club product additionally lowered her finest occasions within the 100 free (49.68), 200 free (1:47.61), 100 again (53.42) and 200 IM (1:59.21) final season, displaying a formidable stage of versatility. The 200 IM is smart because the #3 occasion on her program below the present NCAA schedule, and he or she might be a future participant on the 800 free relay, together with the medley relays. She’s notably been 23.96 within the 50 fly from a flat begin.

12. Emma Cigna (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Nation’s Capital Swim Club – Kettle Run High School – Warrenton, VA **Committed to NC State**

Best Times:

• 400 IM: 4:09.09
• 200 fly: 1:56.12
• 200 again: 1:52.81
• 100 again: 53.54
• 200 IM: 1:59.29
• 500 free: 4:45.33
• 200 free: 1:46.71
• 100 fly: 53.17
• 1650 free: 16:53.29
• 1000 free: 9:54.29

Another swimmer who was featured within the BOTR part final 12 months however had a large season to crack the highest 20, Cigna appeared to unlock one thing final season. Across the 200 and 500 free, 100 and 200 again, 100 fly and 200 fly, and 200 and 400 IM, she averaged a drop of almost three seconds per occasion over the course of final season, highlighted by her 4:09.09 displaying within the 400 IM on the NCSA Spring Championships in March, which is below the NCAA cutline (4:09.45) and ranks her fourth within the class. In addition to the 400 IM, she’s additionally below the cutline within the 200 fly (1:56.12) and 200 again (1:52.81), having dropped two seconds final season within the former and greater than three within the latter. The 200 fly and 200 again coincide within the present NCAA schedule, however Cigna might go a wide range of routes given her wide-ranging skillset. She made large strides final 12 months within the 200 free (1:46.71) and 500 free (4:45.33), made smaller enhancements within the 100 again (53.54) and 100 fly (53.17), and after what she did within the 400 IM, it is smart that her 200 IM is coming alongside as effectively (1:59.29). Based on the schedule, the long run NC State Wolfpack might find yourself swimming the five hundred free at NCAAs, having dropped a staggering 7.8 seconds when she clocked 4:45.33 at NCSAs in March.

11. Molly Workman (Previous Rank: #18) – Nittany Lion Aquatic Club – State College Area High School – Port Matilda, PA **Committed to Virginia**

Best Times:

• 100 free: 48.31
• 50 free: 22.17
• 200 free: 1:46.04
• 100 fly: 52.96
• 100 breast: 1:00.56
• 200 IM: 1:59.41
• 100 again: 54.65

Workman seems to be like an ideal match for Virginia. An all-around sprinter who leans in the direction of freestyle as her finest stroke. Last season, the Nittany Lion Aquatic Club product reset her private finest occasions in all of her finest occasions, save the 100 again, the place she was one one-hundredth off, highlighted by her freestyle performances. Workman has now been 22-point within the 50 free 22 occasions, 12 of which got here this previous season, highlighted by her 22.17 clocking in early February on the Mid Penn Conference Championships. She lowered her 100 free PB to 48.35 on the District 6 Championships a number of weeks later, after which on the PIAA 3A State Championships in March, she swept the 50 free (22.22) and 100 free (48.48), however made headlines for what she did on the relays. Workman threw down two sub-22 50 free splits, together with a 21.65 anchoring the 200 free relay, and two sub-48 100 free splits, together with a 47.51 anchoring the 400 free relay. Those splits could be elite within the NCAA already, indicating she’s going to be a key relay participant for Virginia all through her profession. At the Speedo Sectionals in St. Mary’s City later in March, Workman continued her momentum with new finest occasions within the 100 free (48.31), 200 free (1:46.04), 50 breast (28.46), 100 breast (1:00.56), 100 fly (52.96) and 200 IM (1:59.41) whereas going 54.66 within the 100 again to overlook her PB by .01. The 50 free, 100 free, and certain 4 relays will likely be staples in Workman’s occasion program in school, after which what she chooses to give attention to for a 3rd occasion would possible be the 100 fly or 200 free if the schedule stays because it was final season.

10. Zoe Smith (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Arkansas Dolphins – Central High School – Little Rock, AR **Committed to NC State**

Best Times:

• 100 free: 47.80
• 50 free: 22.18
• 200 free: 1:46.34
• 100 again: 52.30
• 200 again: 1:54.87
• 100 fly: 54.29

Smith took an enormous leap ahead final 12 months, dropping huge time within the dash free occasions to change into one of many quickest swimmers within the class. Her 100 free time jumps off the web page, as, after her PB stood at 49.3 popping out of her junior season, Smith received the Arkansas 6A state title in February in 48.82, after which two weeks later on the Speedo Sectionals in Columbia, she blasted a time of 47.80 en path to successful the ultimate. That swim ranks her third on this class, sitting simply eight one-hundredths again of #2 Charlotte Crush, and is below the 2026 NCAA cutline (47.95) and never far off what it took to attain (47.46). In addition to her 100 free swim, Smith was red-hot on the Columbia Sectionals, setting new finest occasions in every thing she swam. She received the 50 free (22.18), 200 free (1:46.34), 50 again (24.18) and 100 again (52.30), and added a third-place end within the 200 again (1:54.87 in prelims). Smith tasks to be a real elite-level sprinter in each free and again, making her immensely precious for NC State sooner or later, each individually and particularly on relays. She’s top-five within the class within the 50 free, ranks sixth within the 100 again, and her 200 free enhancements this previous season make her a viable possibility within the 800 free relay (although she could find yourself racing the opposite 4 relays as an alternative). For a 50/100 freestyler, the present NCAA schedule signifies the 200 free is probably going her #3 occasion possibility, although a 50 free/100 again double on Friday is definitely doable.

9. Kelsey Zhang (Previous Rank: #5) – Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics – Saratoga High School – Saratoga, CA **Verbally dedicated to Cal**

Best Times:

• 200 fly: 1:53.51 (finest in school)
• 100 fly: 51.78
• 200 IM: 1:57.09
• 400 IM: 4:13.27
• 100 again: 53.59
• 100 breast: 1:01.34
• 200 breast: 2:14.32
• 500 free: 4:48.16
• 200 free: 1:47.04
• 100 free: 49.97
• 50 free: 23.11

Zhang is the highest 200 fly swimmer within the class, although her finest time of 1:53.51 is now greater than two years outdated, having been set in April 2024. She went 1:54.16 throughout the 2024-25 season, and as a highschool senior, her quickest time has are available in at 1:55.05. That places her simply shy of the NCAA scoring cut-off in 2026 (1:54.99), however her finest time is knocking on the door of the ‘A’ last (1:53.24), and there’s no motive to imagine she will be able to’t get again there at Cal. In the 100 fly, she’s damaged 52 seconds 3 times in her profession, one thing solely three different swimmers on this class have achieved in any respect, placing her in NCAA scoring vary. Zhang’s PB of 51.78, set in April 2025, is below the 2026 NCAA cutline (52.03) and inside a half-second of the scoring threshold (51.33). This previous weekend, she received the CIF state title in a time of 51.83. Two occasions she did enhance on this previous season have been the 200 IM (1:57.09) and 200 free (1:47.04), whereas she was near her PBs within the 100 again and 100 breast. Cal is on an upward trajectory of late, and that features in butterfly, with Annie Jia making the NCAA last of the 100 fly final season as a freshman, and Mia West successful the ACC title within the 200 fly as a sophomore, making for an incredible coaching atmosphere for Zhang. The present NCAA schedule doesn’t line up completely for the Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics product, because the 200 IM conflicts with the 200 fly and the 200 free coincides with the 100 fly. If she desires to keep away from doubles, and the schedule doesn’t change, the 100 again is extra possible an possibility over the five hundred free, on condition that she’s solely raced the five hundred as soon as since 2023.

8. Alyssa Sagle (Previous Rank: #8) – Nation’s Capital Swim Club – Battlefield High School – Gainesville, VA **Committed to Virginia**

Best Times:

• 200 again: 1:50.96
• 100 again: 50.56
• 100 fly: 53.67
• 200 free: 1:48.36
• 100 free: 49.92
• 50 free: 22.83
• 200 IM: 2:02.61

Sagle is coming off a standout season that noticed her take one other step ahead within the backstroke occasions regardless of already rating #2 within the class in each distances final 12 months. Entering her senior season with finest occasions of 51.7/1:51.7 within the 100 and 200 again, Sagle has been red-hot by way of the primary few months of 2026. She reset her 100 again finest time to 51.66 within the prelims of the VHSL Class 6 State Championships, after which within the last, exploded with a large lifetime finest of fifty.56, breaking the National Public High School Record within the occasion. Despite the 100 again being extremely aggressive final season, with eight girls breaking 50 seconds, Sagle’s time nonetheless would’ve made the 2026 NCAA last, as 50.79 was the Eighth-place cut-off within the prelims. One month later on the NCSA Spring Championships, Sagle swept the backstroke occasions, setting new finest occasions within the 50 again (23.72) and 200 again (1:50.96) whereas clocking 51.16 within the 100. Her time within the 200 is simply over half a second shy of what it took to make the NCAA last final season (1:50.31), and her 23.7 50 is quicker than the lead-off leg of 10 of the 16 groups that scored within the 200 medley relay on the 2026 NCAAs. Additionally, Sagle added new PBs within the 50 free (22.83) and 100 fly (53.67) at NCSAs. Virginia has an elite backstroke coaching group, led by present Cavaliers Claire Curzan, Sara Curtis and Tess Howley, and we can also’t overlook Isabelle Stadden just lately joined the UVA professional group and has had a profession breakthrough. Sagle will match proper in, and may thrive on this coaching atmosphere. She’ll be a favourite to attain at NCAAs immediately within the backstroke occasions, and certain opts for the 50 free or 100 fly as her third occasion.

7. Emerson Callis (Previous Rank: #6) – Quest Swimming – Monacan High School – Richmond, VA **Committed to NC State**

Best Times:

• 200 fly: 1:54.82
• 100 fly: 52.52
• 400 IM: 4:06.52
• 200 IM: 1:58.46
• 500 free: 4:44.67
• 200 free: 1:47.25
• 100 free: 49.47
• 50 free: 22.88
• 100 again: 52.81
• 200 again: 1:55.03
• 200 breast: 2:13.08
• 100 breast: 1:02.92
• 1650 free: 16:36.06
• 1000 free: 9:47.90

We stated it final 12 months and we’ll say it once more: Callis is perhaps essentially the most versatile swimmer within the class. She’s inside 3% of the NCAA cutline in 10 totally different occasions, which is essentially the most of anybody within the women’ class of 2026, and has two occasions the place she’s a possible NCAA scorer proper from the soar. This previous season, she made famous enchancment within the 200 fly, dropping eight-tenths in 1:54.82 to place her below the 2026 scoring cut-off of 1:54.99. In her junior 12 months, she exploded within the 400 IM, dropping greater than six seconds to clock 4:06.52, and regardless of not going below it this 12 months, she was nonetheless strong with a 4:09.59 clocking on the Virginia Senior Championships in March. At that very same meet, she set new finest occasions within the 100 again (52.81), 200 again (1:55.03) and 100 fly (52.52), successful 5 particular person gold medals within the 100 again, 100 fly, 200 fly, and each IMs (1:58.80/4:09.59). Just a few weeks earlier on the VHSL Class 4 State Championships, she received a pair of state titles in two ‘off’ occasions, claiming the 50 free (23.14) and 100 breast (1:02.92). Callis has proven a formidable skill to tackle a busy program over a 4 or five-day meet and thrive, however in school, issues are a bit totally different. In championship settings, she’ll must dial in on three particular person races, and on paper, these seem like the 200 fly, 400 IM, and primarily based on the present schedule, the 100 again or 500 free would make sense as a #3 if she’s making an attempt to keep away from doubles, however she’s able to racing something at a excessive stage. She’s additionally acquired the dash free chops to have the ability to be a relay contributor, particularly within the 800 free relay, and is robust in dash again and fly for the medleys as effectively.

6. Mena Boardman (Previous Rank: #3) – Commonwealth Swimming – Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) – Portland, OR **Committed to Texas**

Best Times:

• 100 fly: 50.93
• 100 again: 52.42
• 50 free: 22.05
• 100 free: 48.62
• 200 again: 1:56.20
• 200 IM: 1:59.65
• 200 free: 1:47.22

Boardman falls a number of spots within the rankings after failing to enhance in two of her finest occasions, the 100 fly and 50 free, final season, although she was nonetheless among the many finest within the class. In March 2025, Boardman unleashed a time of fifty.93 within the 100 fly, rating her #4 all-time within the women’ 15-16 age group, #2 on this class behind Charlotte Crush, and quick sufficient to make the 2025 NCAA ‘A’ last. This previous season, although she didn’t break 51, she did go sub-52 twice, together with a 51.77 clocking from Winter Juniors – East. In the 50 free, although she didn’t decrease her finest time of twenty-two.05 from the earlier season, she did go sub-22.5 three separate occasions, together with a 22.30 clocking in March on the BC Premier Invitational. One week earlier, she roared to a pair of NEPSAC Division I titles within the 100 free (48.62) and 200 free (1:47.22), setting new private bests in each. She additionally threw down a 23.09 50 fly relay cut up on the meet. In February, she set a brand new finest time of 52.42 within the 100 again, after which matched it on the BC Premier Invitational. Last August, she gained some precious worldwide expertise on the World Junior Championships, inserting sixth within the women’ 50 fly whereas successful a pair of medals after swimming preliminary legs on the U.S. medley relays. Boardman tasks to be a relay lynchpin for the Longhorns all through her profession, with capabilities of swimming fly, free or again on the medley relays to go together with that includes within the dash free relays. Individually, she will be able to step in and problem for a top-eight spot within the 100 fly immediately, and he or she’ll possible additionally swim the 50 free and 100 free, the place she has scoring potential. In addition to rating #2 behind Crush on this class within the 100 fly, she additionally holds that place behind the top-ranked recruit within the 50 free, and is top-five within the class within the 100 free.

5. Molly Sweeney (Previous Rank: #4) – Carmel Swim Club – Carmel High School – Carmel, IN **Committed to Tennessee**

Best Times:

• 200 breast: 2:06.72 (finest in school)
• 200 IM: 1:54.58 (finest in school)
• 100 breast: 59.24 (finest in school)
• 400 IM: 4:12.06
• 100 fly: 52.10
• 200 fly: 1:58.93
• 200 free: 1:47.09
• 100 free: 49.76
• 50 free: 23.00
• 100 again: 55.05
• 200 again: 1:59.80

Sweeney made large strides within the breaststroke occasions this season, reducing her class-leading 200 breast time to the sub-2:07 vary whereas taking up because the quickest within the 100 breast. She swept the 100 breast (59.95) and 200 breast (2:06.72) titles at Winter Juniors – East this previous December, together with her time within the 200 reducing her earlier finest of two:07.49 and placing her greater than a second below what it took to make the 2026 NCAA last (2:07.58). The 2026 NCAA last had 5 girls go sub-2:06, however 4 of them have been seniors, which means Sweeney may very well be a contender for the nationwide title in her first 12 months. At the IHSAA Girls State Championships in February, Sweeney helped lead Carmel to its fortieth straight title, sweeping her particular person occasions with victories within the 100 breast (59.24) and 100 fly (52.78). Her 100 breast time strikes her previous Eliza Wallace (59.36) for the highest spot within the class, and can also be comfortably below the 2026 NCAA cutline of 59.61. Sweeney additionally produced 22.75 50 free and 27.01 50 breast relay splits on the IHSAA Championships, and wrapped up the brief course season on the Four Corners Speedo Sectionals in late March, successful the 100 breast (1:00.21), 200 breast (2:07.69) and 200 IM (1:57.73), whereas producing 22.82/49.36 free relay splits and including a brand new PB within the 100 again (55.05). Sweeney hasn’t significantly approached her 1:54.58 finest time within the 200 IM since setting it in December 2023, however she’ll nonetheless be a scoring menace in that occasion immediately, because it took 1:56.43 to place factors on the board final season. Headed to Tennessee, Sweeney may have an incredible breaststroke coaching accomplice in McKenzie Siroky, whereas there’s additionally a robust medley group there led by Ella Jansen and Emily Brown.

4. Sydney Schoeck (Previous Rank: 7) – CSP Tideriders – Westminster Christian Academy – Chesterfield, MO **Committed to Texas**

Best Times:

• 1650 free: 15:51.76 (finest in school)
• 1000 free: 9:32.29
• 500 free: 4:37.88
• 200 again: 1:51.49
• 400 IM: 4:04.22
• 200 IM: 1:57.66
• 200 fly: 1:57.77
• 200 free: 1:46.87
• 100 again: 54.07
• 100 free: 50.94
• 50 free: 23.97
• 100 fly: 55.19

Schoeck is coming off an outstanding season that noticed her decrease her finest occasions in her eight finest occasions on paper: 200, 500, 100 and 1650 free, 200 again, 200 fly, and 200 and 400 IM. In December, she placed on a clinic at Winter Juniors – West, successful titles and setting new finest occasions within the 500 free (4:41.29), 1000 free (9:32.29) and 1650 free (15:52.56) whereas additionally inserting 2nd with a brand new private finest within the 400 IM (4:05.96) and including a Third-place end within the 200 again. However, it was the Speedo Sectionals in Columbia a number of months later that she actually went off. Schoeck received the five hundred free (4:37.88), 1650 free (15:51.76), 200 again (1:51.49) and 400 IM (4:04.22), and likewise took 2nd within the 200 IM (1:57.66), setting finest occasions throughout the board. She additionally set new PBs within the 100 free (50.94), 200 free (1:46.87) and 50 again (25.59) on relay lead-offs.

Her swim within the 1650 free jumps out, as she dropped nearly 10 seconds off her finest time getting into the season, posting a time that will’ve positioned seventh at NCAAs. Only our prime three recruits have greater than two occasions through which they’re quick sufficient to be NCAA scorers already, and all of them have 4. In addition to being a top-eight swimmer within the 1650 free, Schoeck would’ve cracked the highest 16 at NCAAs together with her finest occasions within the 500 free (4:37.88), 200 again (1:51.49) and 400 IM (4:04.22), and her 500 free time is inside half a second of ‘A’ last territory. Her development within the 400 IM is notable, on condition that she entered 2025-26 with a finest time of 4:08.41, after which progressively constructed it all through the season, going 4:07.93 within the prelims after which 4:05.96 within the last at Winter Juniors, after which clocking 4:04.97 within the prelims on the Columbia Sectionals earlier than resetting her PB for a fourth straight time within the last. Her projected NCAA lineup seems to be like a simple one to foretell, with the five hundred free, 1650 free and 400 IM being her three finest occasions on paper. She may be an element within the 200 again, however she actually separates herself from the vast majority of others within the distance free and medley occasions, particularly amongst this class, whereas the 200 again is bunched up on the prime.

3. Kayla Han (Previous Rank: #2) – La Mirada Armada – La Mirada, CA **Committed to Indiana**

Best Times:

• 400 IM: 4:03.28 (finest in school)
• 500 free: 4:36.88
• 1000 free: 9:30.10 (finest in school)
• 1650 free: 15:56.07
• 200 IM: 1:55.74
• 200 fly: 1:55.46
• 200 free: 1:45.37
• 100 fly: 53.78
• 200 breast: 2:14.62
• 100 breast: 1:03.77
• 200 again: 1:58.76
• 100 again: 55.91
• 100 free: 49.97
• 50 free: 23.55

Han has a really related skillset to 2 former #1 recruits, Bella Sims and Katie Grimes, as she’s extraordinarily elite throughout the gap free occasions, particular person medley, and can also be very sturdy throughout the 200s. After a robust summer time that included successful U.S. Junior National titles within the 400 free and 800 free and incomes a pair of top-seven finishes at World Juniors, Han had a formidable brief course marketing campaign in 2025-26. She set a brand new finest time of 1:55.74 within the 200 IM in early November, after which one month later at Winter Juniors – West, she received a pair of titles and added two extra runner-up finishes, most notably setting a brand new lifetime finest time of 4:03.28 within the 400 IM. The 400 IM drop lowers her earlier mark of 4:04.44 and places her contained in the NCAA ‘A’ last cutoff (4:03.65), whereas within the 200 IM, she knocked greater than two seconds off her outdated PB and places her effectively below the NCAA scoring threshold (1:56.43). She additionally set season-best occasions within the 500 free (4:38.28), 1000 free (9:31.06) and 1650 free (15:57.93) throughout these two meets, nearing her private bests. Han closed out 2025 with a bang, setting 5 extra finest occasions on the Speedo Sectionals in Walnut, most notably going 1:55.46 within the 200 fly, below the NCAA cutline, and 1:45.37 within the 200 free to return inside 1% of the cutline (1:44.43). In 2026, Han has primarily been specializing in lengthy course, although she did win the CIF state title within the 500 free final weekend whereas additionally inserting Third within the 200 IM.

Headlining Indiana’s sturdy recruiting class, Han tasks to be a cornerstone piece for the Hoosiers for the following 4 seasons. A schedule that includes the five hundred free, 1650 free and 400 IM appears the probably for Han, although she’s so versatile that plenty of different occasions may very well be on the desk. She’ll be a clutch swimmer for IU to have on their roster in twin meet settings, together with her skill to swim basically any occasion at a excessive stage.

2. Charlotte Crush (Previous Rank: #1) – Lakeside Swim Team – Sacred Heart Academy – Louisville, KY **Committed to Tennessee**

Best Times:

• 100 again: 49.46 (finest in school)
• 200 again: 1:48.69 (finest in school)
• 100 fly: 50.00 (finest in school)
• 50 free: 21.88
• 100 free: 47.72
• 200 free: 1:44.34
• 200 IM: 1:54.87
• 200 fly: 1:57.67

Crush was the undisputed top-ranked recruit on this class previous to Rylee Erisman reclassifying, however regardless of sliding to #2, Crush nonetheless has three occasions on her resume quick sufficient to make the NCAA ‘A’ last whereas additionally being a future relay stalwart at Tennessee. Although Crush didn’t enhance her finest occasions in plenty of her finest occasions this previous season, she nonetheless posted occasions quicker than nearly anybody else on this class. She added a little bit of time, however nonetheless ranks #1 within the class for the season within the 100 again (50.11) and 200 again (1:49.24), and he or she additionally ranks #1 within the 100 fly after matching her finest time on the quantity at 50.00. With the addition of Erisman, Crush strikes to #2 within the class within the 50 free (21.98) and 200 free (1:44.67), each races she had small provides in in 2025-26. Crush did set a number of new private bests, clocking 47.72 within the 100 free and 1:54.87 within the 200 IM at Winter Juniors – East, ending because the runner-up in each races behind class of Erisman (100 free) and sophistication of 2027 standout Audrey Derivaux (200 IM). Crush received the 100 again, 200 again and 100 fly on the meet in her season-best occasions, after which adopted up by comfortably sweeping the KHSAA state titles within the 100 again and 100 fly for the fourth straight 12 months with an equivalent time of 51.05 in each races. The Lakeside Swim Team product wrapped the brief course season with a robust displaying on the TNAQ Speedo Southern Premier, successful the 50 free (22.16), 100 again (50.46), 200 again (1:49.50) and 100 fly (50.65) whereas additionally setting season-bests within the 50 free (21.98) on a relay lead-off and within the 200 free (1:44.67) prelims earlier than scratching the ultimate.

Heading into school, Crush will instantly be one of the dynamic swimmers within the nation and can give Tennessee a large increase. Her private finest occasions would’ve positioned her 2nd on the 2026 NCAA Championships within the 100 again, Third within the 200 again and 4th within the 100 fly. With reigning 100 fly champion Torri Huske graduating, Crush might end within the prime three of all three occasions in her first 12 months, and needs to be favored to win a number of titles later in her profession. Her 200 IM finest time can also be scary good—it might’ve tied for ninth at NCAAs—and her dash free occasions are at an elite stage that permits her to step in and immediately be an element on Tennessee’s relays. With McKenzie Siroky on breast, Mizuki Hirai on fly and Camille Spink on free, the Lady Vols ought to have deadly medley relays this season as Crush steps into the lead-off leg.

1. Rylee Erisman (Previous Rank: #2, 2027 – Windermere Lakers – Windermere High School – Windermere, FL **Committed to Cal**

Best Times: 

• 200 free: 1:40.93 (finest in school)
• 100 free: 46.69 (finest in school)
• 50 free: 21.61 (finest in school)
• 500 free: 4:34.60 (finest in school)
• 100 again: 51.36
• 200 again: 1:54.28
• 200 IM: 1:57.54
• 400 IM: 4:15.98
• 200 fly: 1:59.12
• 100 fly: 54.34

Having reclassified after initially being part of the ladies’ highschool class of 2027, Erisman takes over because the top-ranked recruit within the class as a generational freestyle expertise who figures to not solely be an NCAA famous person, however a future pillar for the U.S. girls on the worldwide stage. The Windereme Lakers product had among the best performances of the 12 months on the finish of 2025, dropping a time of 1:40.93 within the 200 free at Winter Juniors – East to interrupt Katie Ledecky‘s 15-16 NAG record by more than a second and become just the 11th American ever under the 1:41 barrier. The swim makes Erisman the fastest swimmer in this class by nearly three and a half seconds, and would’ve positioned her 4th on the 2026 NCAA Championships. In the 100 free, Erisman set the 15-16 NAG file again in December 2024 in a time of 46.69, which might’ve made the NCAA last this previous season and makes her greater than a second quicker than anybody on this class. She additionally set her lifetime better of 21.61 within the 50 free in the direction of the tip of 2024, which additionally would’ve scored at NCAAs. At the FHSAA 4A State Championships this previous November, she defended her titles with new season-bests within the 50 free (21.67) and 100 free (46.73), narrowly lacking her finest occasions. In addition to her groundbreaking swim within the 200 free at Winter Juniors – East in December, she additionally ripped a large PB of 4:34.60 within the 500 free, giving her 4 occasions through which she’s the top-ranked swimmer within the class, and it additionally would’ve positioned fifth on the 2026 NCAAs.

Erisman has been specializing in lengthy course by way of the primary 4 and a half months of 2026, notably setting new private bests within the 200 free (1:56.71), 400 free (4:11.02), 100 again (59.25) and 200 again (2:08.20), displaying spectacular type and indicating her SCY backstroke finest occasions of 51.36/1:54.28 are in all probability outdated. Her 100 again PB remains to be an NCAA scoring time, however within the 200 again, an extended course 2:08 signifies she will be able to in all probability be at the least three seconds quicker than her 1:54.2 from January 2025.

Headed to a Cal staff on the rise, Erisman immediately slots in because the centerpiece of the Golden Bears’ free relays and the anchor leg for his or her medleys, and he or she’ll make a deadly 1-2 duo alongside Claire Weinstein within the 800 free relay for years to return. Virginia’s Anna Moesch has two extra years of eligibility left, and he or she’s in all probability the one swimmer standing in Erisman’s means of successful a number of particular person NCAA titles immediately, however Erisman is definitely able to giving her run as quickly as subsequent season earlier than the floodgates open.

BONUS LOOKBACK

Feeling nostalgic? Here’s a glance again at our historic recruiting class rankings, plus our retrospectives of these lessons after 4 NCAA seasons: