Way Too Early Recruit Rankings: Women’ High School Class of 2028

We proceed our conventional recruiting protection with our “Way Too Early” ranks of the upcoming season’s highschool junior class. Since prime recruits have began giving their verbal commitments earlier and earlier, we’ve moved up our rankings to assist in giving higher context to huge recruiting bulletins.

Before we run over our conventional rating methodology, we must always head off a number of counterarguments on the cross:

• Isn’t this too early to have an excellent learn on expertise? Aren’t 16-year-old children nonetheless bettering? Maybe. On the opposite hand, coaches are clearly discovering roster spots for teenagers who verbally commit this early. And if we and our readership wish to have essentially the most correct image of how the recruiting season is taking part in out, it’ll be helpful to have some kind of rating – even one nonetheless very a lot in flux – to check with as big-name swimmers commit.
• But recruiting ranks don’t matter. It’s the fast-dropping swimmers and diamonds within the tough that basically have the largest NCAA impression. Not true. There are at all times fast-rising swimmers who shortly turn into NCAA stars. But there are far much less of them than there are elite highschool prospects who turn into high-impact NCAA swimmers. We all love the Cinderella tales, the unranked recruits who flourish into dominators. But even these rags-to-riches tales aren’t as fleshed out in the event that they don’t have a clearly outlined setup. These ranks assist present us who’s almost certainly to turn into NCAA standouts… but additionally contextualize the place the eventual breakout stars initially rated in comparison with friends. If you, your favourite swimmer or your son/daughter isn’t ranked, don’t get mad – see it as the place to begin in your/their rise to stardom.
• How correct can these be with two-plus years of growth to go earlier than any of those swimmers compete within the NCAA? Who is aware of? Predicting the long run by no means has a 100% hit charge. For these ranks, we’re rather less involved with precise NCAA scoring occasions than we’re in our junior/senior ranks, and doubtless marginally extra interested by “ceilings” – huge occasion ranges, versatility, and so on. But as with every rating, these are in the end nothing greater than a snapshot in time: what the highest of this recruiting class appears like within the second, with full admission that lots of these ranks can and can change by the point they end their senior years.

THE METHODOLOGY

Our aim 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 may be a lot uncertainty with worldwide recruits – if they arrive to the United States, once they’ll come to the States and with what graduating class they need to be ranked. Projecting worldwide recruits usually turns into extra of a dialogue of when they’ll first be part of a school program and never which program they’ll be part of.

A number of different components that weigh closely in our rankings:

• Relay Value – Relay factors rely double in school swimming, and any program wants a powerful 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 typically values a dash freestyler over a distance swimmer, all different components being equal.
• Improvements – Actual occasions carry essentially the most weight by a protracted 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 could have a unique steadiness of focus between brief course and lengthy course swimming, the NCAA competes in brief course yards, and that’s going to be the primary issue thought-about in these rankings. Long course occasions are one other knowledge level for consideration, however we primarily view them via the lens of what an enormous lengthy course swim may imply for an athlete’s future in brief course.
• NCAA scoring potential – NCAAs are the massive present for faculty groups, so we’ve weighted NCAA scoring potential very extremely. Swimmers who have already got NCAA scoring occasions wind up largely filling out the highest of our rankings. Since school athletic administrators – and by extension coaches – additionally place excessive worth on convention championships, scoring potential at convention meets can be a consider our rankings.
• Relative depth within the NCAA and recruiting class – a wealth of elite depth nationwide in a single stroke or self-discipline makes an enormous distinction in what occasions are thought-about extra beneficial 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 degree, it makes highschool prospects in these occasions rather less beneficial, comparatively, with plenty of different veteran choices. In the identical approach, a recruiting class stacked with swimmers in butterfly, for instance, would make every butterflier rather less sought-after available in the market, with plenty of different recruiting choices capable of present comparable manufacturing.

Of course, there’s no strategy to predict the long run, and essentially the most concrete knowledge we’ve to go on are chilly, exhausting occasions. These rankings by no means imply that every one of those 20 swimmers shall be NCAA standouts, and so they actually don’t imply that no swimmer left off this checklist will make huge contributions on the NCAA degree.

THIS CLASS

• Top-heavy class with 4 extraordinarily elite swimmers throughout a number of disciplines.
• Developing dash free class—very sturdy within the 50, strong within the 100, however solely two sub-1:46 within the 200.
• Four swimmers within the mile have NCAA qualifying occasions within the 1650, making for a powerful distance class.
• A number of standout backstrokers adopted by respectable depth. With the evolution of backstroke within the NCAA over the previous few seasons, the numbers don’t look fairly as spectacular on paper as the opposite strokes.
• Mikayla Tan and Karina Plaza headline the breaststroke class that’s received some respectable depth past the highest two.
• Butterfly and IM is dominated by the top-ranked swimmers within the class, most notably Gabi Brito and Ellie Clarke. Class is way stronger within the 200 IM (seven sub-1:59) in comparison with the 400 IM (solely two sub-4:12).

TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2028

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

Of course, there’s no strategy to predict the long run, and essentially the most concrete knowledge we’ve to go on are chilly, exhausting occasions. These rankings by no means imply that every one of those 20 swimmers shall be NCAA standouts, and so they actually don’t imply that no swimmer left off this checklist will make huge contributions on the NCAA degree.

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 happy to politely level them out within the feedback. There’s an opportunity that we disagree together with your evaluation of their spot within the prime 20, and as long as it’s executed civilly, there’s no downside 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 wish to be sure we right 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 continues to be a particularly high-level recruit:

• Sprint free:
  • Jane Garlock (22.7/49.1/1:51.5, 55.5 BK)
  • Grace Perry (23.0/49.8/1:46.9, 53.3/2:01.0 FLY, 2:00.1 IM)
  • Leah Inman (22.5/49.2/1:47.8, 54.9 BK, 2:03.8 IM)
  • Paige Kowal (23.4/49.4/1:46.8/4:52.2, 2:01.9/4:17.1 IM)
  • Zona Smith (22.9/49.7/1:47.7, 54.4/1:59.9 BK)
  • Lillian Andedo (22.6/49.8, 56.8 BK)
• Distance free:
  • Clare Herfel (1:49.2/4:45.0/9:47/16:20)
  • Zayda Miehl (1:50.3/4:46.2/9:41/16:08)
  • Ella Hafner (23.5/50.7/1:47.5/4:48.8/9:51/16:25)
  • Jane Chevalier (1:48.4/4:47.6/9:50/16:37, 2:01.3 FLY, 4:17.3 IM)
  • Katherine Warkentin (4:53.2/9:49/16:37, 1:02.5/2:16.0 BR)
  • Cassie Espinoza (1:50.4/4:51.1/9:54/16:38)
• Backstroke:
  • McKenzie Cory (24.8/53.1/1:54.1, 23.6/51.3 FR)
  • AB Curtis (53.0/1:56.2, 22.8/49.5/1:48.2 FR, 2:01.2 IM)
  • Kennedy Nuttbrock (53.6/1:55.4, 1:50.1 FR)
  • Sydney Wasylenky (53.9/1:56.2, 23.4/49.5/1:50.1 FR)
  • Thea Bike (53.5/1:55.6, 54.8 FLY)
• Breaststroke:
  • Skylar Zulegar (1:00.7/2:12.9)
  • Maya McCarney (1:01.1/2:12.8, 2:02.8/4:23.1 IM, 55.4 FLY)
  • Salem Bahr (1:00.6/2:11.1, 2:02.5 IM)
  • Abigail Bonham (1:01.9/2:11.2, 2:02.2/4:16.1)
  • Isabella Green (1:01.1/2:12.8, 55.7 BK, 55.5 FLY, 2:01.8 IM)
  • Brenley Bonez (1:00.8/2:16.1, 23.0/50.8 FR, 55.7 FLY)
• Butterfly:
  • Eryn Arnold (53.2/1:57.1, 23.7/51.3/1:49.8 FR, 1:03.8 BR, 1:59.7/4:17.3 IM)
  • Feagin Kaminski (53.7/1:58.5, 23.0/50.1/1:48.5 FR, 55.0/1:57.5 BK)
  • Siggy Nymo (53.2/1:58.9, 23.3/51.3 FR, 54.5/1:57.7 BK, 2:02.2 IM)
  • Bobbi Simmons (53.3, 49.9/1:48.5 FR, 53.9/1:57.3 BK, 2:00.5 IM)
  • Peyton McDaniel (53.5/2:02.2, 22.9/49.9 FR)
  • Lilly King (53.5, 23.4/50.8 FR, 54.3/1:59.2 BK)
• IM:
  • Clara Seemann (2:00.6/4:12.1, 1:48.7/4:49.4/9:49 FR, 1:01.5/2:11.9 BR)
  • Una Diaz (2:00.2/4:14.3, 1:50.0/4:48.6/9:49/16:48 FR, 54.4/1:55.8 BK)
  • Yari Brock (2:00.7/4:13.3, 50.7/1:47.6/4:48.6/16:46, 1:59.9 BK, 54.9/2:01.3 FLY)
  • Annie Shall (2:00.9/4:12.5, 1:02.4/2:12.8 BR, 1:59.3 FLY)
  • Kinley Baber (2:00.5/4:14.5, 51.5 FR, 1:03.0/2:12.5 BR, 55.2/1:59.2 FLY)
  • June Delmar (1:59.3/4:15.1, 23.3/51.2/1:49.7 FR, 1:59.4 BK, 2:15.4 BR, 55.3/1:58.7 FLY)
  • Kaylee Dietrich (2:02.5/4:14.0, 1:50.5/4:51.0/16:47 FR, 1:03.1/2:13.6 BR, 2:01.2 FLY)
  • Kiera Powers (1:59.7/4:18.5, 23.7/51.3/1:47.8 FR)

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Paring the checklist down to twenty at all times seems 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 previous qualifying format (not the 2026 course of that included auto convention qualifiers).

Meghan Ayres – Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Family YMCA – Western Albemarle High School – Crozet, VA

Best Times:

• 400 IM: 4:14.24
• 1650 free: 16:36.88
• 1000 free: 9:52.92
• 500 free: 4:45.24
• 200 free: 1:47.86
• 100 breast: 1:02.69
• 200 breast: 2:15.00
• 200 IM: 2:03.54

Ayres is an all-arounder who takes on daunting occasion schedules, with distance free, the 200 breast and 400 IM sometimes being in her lineup at taper meets. A member of Cavalier Aquatics, Ayres set new finest occasions within the majority of her finest occasions final season and at present has thrice inside 2% of the NCAA cutline: 500 free, 1650 free and 400 IM. After hitting a PB of 4:46.90 within the 500 free in April 2025, she went 4:45 thrice final season, culminating with a 4:45.24 on the Virginia Senior Championships in March, the place she claimed the victory. She additionally set a finest time of 1:47.86 within the 200 free at that meet, after which later within the month, received the YMCA National SC title within the 400 IM (4:14.24) with a brand new finest time whereas including runner-up finishes within the 500, 1000 and 1650 free. Her finest time within the mile stands at 16:36.88, set on the 2024 Winter Juniors – East, however regardless of not reducing it in her sophomore yr, she was shut, clocking 16:37.97 on the 2025 Winter Juniors to snag a top-eight end. She tasks as a 500/1650 free, 400 IM swimmer in school who will also be an asset in breaststroke in twin meets, and a possible 800 free relay contributor in some unspecified time in the future in her profession.

Lane Francis – NOVA of Virginia Aquatics – Freeman High School – Richmond, VA

Best Times:

• 50 free: 22.57
• 100 free: 49.86
• 100 again: 52.37
• 200 again: 1:54.71
• 100 fly: 54.47
• 200 IM: 2:01.89
• 200 free: 1:50.06
• 50 again: 24.82

Francis is an elite sprinter who made dramatic enhancements throughout the board in her sophomore yr, placing her within the higher echelon of dash freestylers within the class with a capability in backstroke that’s at the same degree. Coming into the season as a 23.2/50.8 free sprinter, Francis received all the way down to 22.75 within the 50 free at Winter Juniors – East, and in addition break up 49.88 on the 400 free relay. She adopted up by successful the VHSL Class 5 state title with one other finest time within the 50 free (22.64) in February, after which on the Virginia Senior Championships, she fired off quite a few PBs, together with a 22.57 within the 50 free and 49.93 within the 100 free. She chipped a number of extra one-hundredths off her 100 free finest a number of weeks later at NCSAs, clocking 49.86. In backstroke, she went from proudly owning 54.19/1:55.92 finest occasions to turning into a 52.37/1:54.71 swimmer, additionally hitting a number of sub-25 swims within the 50 again. To complement her freestyle and backstroke prowess, Francis can be a growing butterflier (54.4) and IMer (2:01.8), making her a beneficial asset for whichever school staff she picks over the course of the season. In championship meets, she’s doubtless a 50/100 free and 100 again swimmer who can contribute to the free relays.

Kate McKinnon – Aquawolves Swim Team – Cherry Creek High School – Centennial, CO

Best Times:

• 200 free: 1:46.70
• 100 free: 48.66
• 50 free: 22.64
• 100 fly: 54.02
• 200 IM: 2:00.73 (altitude-adjusted)
• 400 IM: 4:24.62

McKinnon is without doubt one of the finest three-distance dash freestylers within the class with occasions within the 50, 100 and 200 which are aggressive with the highest finish of the category. She’s already been sub-23 within the 50 free eight occasions, six of which have been 22.79 or sooner, along with her PB coming this previous February in 22.64. In the 100 free, she had a breakthrough swim of types in March 2025, clocking 49.18, after which this previous season, broke 49 for the primary time at Winter Juniors–West in December (48.95) after which received all the way down to a blistering 48.66 on the Four Corners Speedo Sectionals in late March. In the 200 free, she dropped two seconds over the course of final season to clock 1:46.70 on the Fort Corners Sectionals. Only 5 swimmers within the class have damaged 49 seconds within the 100 free, whereas she’s one in every of eight who’re sub-1:47 within the 200. She’s additionally taken steps within the 100 fly and 200 IM over the previous season, and people two races had been in her particular person lineup on the Four Corners Sectionals together with the three free occasions. The Cherry Crook High Schooler and Aquawolves Swim Team member is probably going a 50/100/200 freestyler within the NCAA postseason with relay worth, however may additionally contribute in dash fly or IM in twin meets.

Aubrial MacKay – OLY Swimming – Owosso, MI

Best Times: 

• 200 fly: 1:56.82
• 100 fly: 53.09
• 100 again: 53.69
• 200 again: 1:57.33
• 200 free: 1:49.43
• 100 free: 50.84
• 50 free: 23.12
• 200 IM: 2:01.37
• 400 IM: 4:19.64

MacKay is coming off a really sturdy yr that began sturdy at Winter Juniors – East in December after which continued to construct all through the primary three months of 2026. She dropped two and a half seconds off her 200 fly finest time over the course of the season, going from 1:59.32 to 1:57.76 at Winter Juniors, after which unleashing a time of 1:56.82 within the NCSA remaining to land Third place and put her inside half a second of the NCAA cutline. She’s clearly developed a capability to carry regular over the again half of the 200 fly, splitting 30.64/30.29 coming house in her NCSA swim, and there ought to be extra room for enchancment as she continues to construct her front-end pace. MacKay took off a second final season within the 100 fly to get all the way down to 53.09, whereas her backstroke finest occasions developed from 55.0/2:00.8 coming in to 53.6/1:57.3 on the finish of the season. Her versatility extends to dash free, having made huge drops to clock 23.1/50.8/1:49.4 final season, and her 2:01.3 200 IM marked an enchancment of greater than two seconds from the earlier yr. The 100 and 200 fly determine to be her essential focus in school, whereas the 100 again may additionally issue into her lineup, although it coincides with the 100 fly. If she opts to keep away from doubles, the 50 free or 200 IM could possibly be her #3 occasion at NCAAs.

Stella Canoles – Orinda Aquatics – Campolindo High School – Lafayette, CA

Best Times:

• 50 free: 22.43
• 100 free: 49.17
• 200 free: 1:47.93
• 100 fly: 53.87
• 200 fly: 1:59.43
• 100 again: 54.95
• 200 again: 2:01.64
• 200 IM: 2:03.30

Canoles had an electrical season that was highlighted by what she did at Winter Juniors – West in December, the place she earned a pair of top-six finishes within the dash free occasions whereas additionally setting finest occasions within the 100 fly and 100 again and throwing down some notable relay splits. The Orinda Aquatics product had damaged out in May 2025 when she set new finest occasions of twenty-two.49 within the 50 free and 49.26 within the 100 free on the CIF State Championships, after which at Winter Juniors, she improved on each, putting fifth within the 50 free (22.43) and sixth within the 100 free (49.17). She additionally produced relay splits of twenty-two.03 and 22.16 within the 50 free, and at a meet later within the season, break up 48.96 within the 100 free, displaying a capability to step up on relays. Canoles additionally put up a pair of 53.87s within the 100 fly at Winter Juniors to position thirteenth, after which went that actual time for the third time on the Speedo Sectionals in Roseville, displaying outstanding consistency. And though the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly are clearly her finest occasions, she took steps with new bests within the 200 free (1:47.93) and 200 fly (1:59.43) as properly final yr, additional growing her vary. The solely blip on her in any other case stellar final 12 months was the 2026 CIF State Championships in May, the place she solely took tenth within the 50 free (23.41) and sixth within the 100 free (50.51) after successful the 100 and putting 2nd within the 50 in 2025.

Katrin Otaegi – San Ramon Valley Aquatics – Dublin, CA 

Best Times:

• 100 fly: 53.18
• 100 again: 53.28
• 200 IM: 1:59.96
• 50 free: 22.67
• 100 free: 49.57
• 200 free: 1:48.36
• 200 again: 1:58.58
• 400 IM: 4:22.73

Otaegi is a flexible sprinter who excels in free, again and fly, and because of this, is an honest 200 IMer as one in every of solely a dozen on this class below 2:00. Her lifetime bests within the 100 again (53.28), 100 fly (53.18) and 200 IM (1:59.96) are all inside 3% of the NCAA cutline and will make up her future occasion schedule if she’s keen to deal with the 100 again/100 fly double. She’s additionally among the many prime 12 swimmers within the class along with her 22.67 finest time within the 50 free, which may find yourself factoring into her particular person schedule as properly. Add within the 49.5 100 free she produced on the Roseville Sectionals in March and her 1:48.3 200 free from the Far Western Championships in April, and Otaegi makes for a possible free relay participant down the road. Note that Otaegi has a 23.85 50 again swim on file from a 200 medley relay, however on condition that she went 24.83 within the particular person race on the similar meet, it’s doable that was because of a timing malfunction. Either approach, she’s received some backstroke pace that ought to lend itself to the medley relays in her future school profession.

Allison Kelly – Bolles School Sharks – Bolles School – Jupiter, FL

Best Times:

• 200 free: 1:45.80
• 100 free: 49.72
• 50 free: 23.61
• 500 free: 4:47.96
• 100 again: 55.76
• 200 again: 2:00.71
• 100 fly: 55.67
• 200 IM: 2:04.79

Kelly’s bread and butter is the 200 free. She’s the second-fastest swimmer within the class after breaking via with a 1:45.80 efficiency on the FHSAA Class 1A State Championships in November, a swim that marked her first time below 1:48. She was the runner-up in each the 100 and 200 free at these state championships, additionally setting a private better of 49.72 within the former. The Bolles School Sharks product leans extra in the direction of the five hundred free (4:47.96) than the 50 free (23.61) as a 3rd occasion, although it’s value noting her finest time within the 500 stems from December 2024. She backed up her 1:45.8 200 free swim in November with a strong 1:46.9 displaying in March, and she or he’s had a promising begin to the lengthy course season. Kelly additionally made huge steps final season within the backstroke occasions, although for now she tasks as a pure freestyler in school.

TOP 20 SWIMMERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2028

20. Madalyn Petty – Tyler Rose Aquatic Club – Tyler Legacy High School – Tyler, TX

Best Times: 

• 1650 free: 16:18.88
• 1000 free: 9:39.21
• 500 free: 4:43.22
• 200 free: 1:48.68
• 400 IM: 4:16.14

Petty is a distance freestyler who made huge developments in her 400 IM final season. After setting finest occasions on the 2024 Winter Juniors – West within the 500 free (4:46.57), 1650 free (16:20.70) and 400 IM (4:23.52), she missed the 2025 Winter Juniors however saved her finest brief course efficiency of final season for the Speedo Sectionals in Justin in early March. There, Petty swept the five hundred free (4:43.22), 1000 free (9:39.21), 1650 free (16:18.88) and 400 IM (4:16.14), setting private finest occasions throughout the board. Her time within the mile places her simply shy of the 2026 NCAA cutline (16:18.61) and ranks her 4th within the class, whereas within the 500, she’s simply over a second off the cutline and ranks Third within the class. In the 400 IM, Petty dropped greater than seven seconds final season, along with her 4:16.14 finest time falling inside 4% of the NCAA cutline. She additionally introduced her 200 free all the way down to 1:48.68 final season, and although it’s her solely time sub-1:50, it provides her choices for her third occasion.

19. Emma Grace Richardson – SwimMAC Carolina – Myers Park High School – Charlotte, NC

Best Times: 

• 100 fly: 52.13
• 200 fly: 1:59.77
• 50 free: 22.87
• 100 free: 49.98
• 200 IM: 2:03.03
• 100 breast: 1:04.64
• 100 again: 56.79

Richardson has established herself as one of many prime fly sprinters within the class, having been 52-point eight occasions in her profession already. At the age of 14 in December 2024, she produced a time of 52.41 at Winter Juniors – East, which ranks her sixth all-time within the ladies’ 13-14 age group. Since ageing up, Richardson reset her finest time to 52.13 within the 100 fly in November, rating her 14th all-time amongst 15-year-olds. That swim additionally places her inside a tenth of the NCAA cutline (52.03) and ranks 4th within the class. Beyond the 100 fly, the SwimMAC Carolina product made notable enhancements within the 50 free (22.87), 100 free (49.98) and 200 fly (1:59.77) final season that give her 4 strong occasions to construct off over the following two seasons. In her 200 fly PB swim, Richardson break up 55.94/1:03.83, so it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if she will be able to work out tips on how to maintain issues collectively extra on the again half over the following few years, or if her focuses is geared extra in the direction of the dash free occasions to go together with the 100 fly.

18. Kennedi Southern – Lakeside Aquatic Club – Little Elm, TX

Best Times:

• 50 free: 22.34
• 100 free: 48.52
• 100 fly: 54.69
• 100 again: 55.71
• 200 free: 1:50.77

Southern jumps off the web page as top-of-the-line dash freestylers within the class, essentially the most beneficial self-discipline in school swimming because of the relay impression. She’s the third-fastest swimmer within the class within the 100 free after dropping a brand new finest time of 48.52 at Winter Juniors – West in December, the place she positioned Third in a aggressive remaining received by fellow class of 2028 recruit Gabi Brito. Southern was additionally 4th within the 50 free on the meet in 22.34, rating her 4th within the class, with Brito main the way in which. Southern was additionally 22.5/48.9 as a 14-year-old throughout her freshman yr of highschool, rating her thirteenth and eleventh all-time within the 13-14 age group, respectively. She’ll be a key piece of her future school staff’s dash relays all through her profession —she’s break up 22.03 twice on relays within the 50—with potential to be scoring in each occasions individually. Her 100 fly additionally improved by two seconds final season in 54.69, giving her a strong third occasion. She’s higher within the 50 fly in the interim, having been as quick as 23.82 from a flat begin.

17. Alex Siegel – Long Island Aquatic Club – Merrick, NY

Best Times:

• 1650 free: 16:15.48
• 1000 free: 9:45.43
• 500 free: 4:47.07
• 200 free: 1:49.29
• 400 IM: 4:18.58

Siegel is one in every of simply 9 swimmers within the class who has an NCAA qualifying time on their resume, as her 16:15.48 finest time within the 1650 free is greater than three seconds below the 2026 qualifying threshold (16:18.61). She set that PB en path to successful the NCSA spring title this previous March, knocking six seconds off her earlier mark set on the similar meet the yr prior. At the Katie Ledecky Invitational in December, she set new bests within the 200 free (1:49.29), 500 free (4:47.42), 1000 free (9:45.43) and 400 IM (4:21.90), after which at NCSAs, along with the mile, she lowered her bests once more within the 500 free (4:47.07) and 400 IM (4:18.58), displaying a gradual enchancment curve. That’s continued into the lengthy course season, having reset her PBs within the 400, 800 and 1500 free, and the 400 IM, on the Pro Swim Series cease in Indianapolis final month. Despite being one of many few within the class with an NCAA qualifying time, Siegel’s rating dips a bit because of distance swimmers having diminished worth within the school swimming format. Her main focus shall be on the 1650 free, and the five hundred free and 400 IM may even doubtless characteristic in her NCAA postseason lineup. Developing these two occasions into NCAA cutline territory whereas pushing her mile into scoring vary appears like the following step after a powerful sophomore yr.

16. Sarah Zhang – Revolution Aquatic Club – Lexington, MA

Best Times:

• 400 IM: 4:12.89
• 200 breast: 2:11.71
• 100 breast: 1:02.05
• 1650 free: 16:24.90
• 200 IM: 2:02.34
• 500 free: 4:52.38

Zhang has a wide-ranging skillset with elite potential throughout the 200 breast, 400 IM and 1650 free. Her finest occasion on paper is the mile, as her 16:24.90 lifetime finest is inside 1% of the NCAA cutline, however her 200 breast and 400 IM pop a little bit extra on the subject of her growth and future scoring potential in school. She exploded within the 400 IM final season, bettering her finest time from 4:21.13 to 4:12.89, whereas her 200 breast improved by over two seconds all the way down to 2:11.71. With two extra years of highschool, she’s simply over three seconds off the NCAA cutline within the 400 IM and inside two and a half within the 200 breast. In the 1650 free, she dropped practically 15 seconds final season, and with that occasion completely transferring to the opening day of the NCAA Championships, Zhang may persist with these core three occasions in school. She additionally made enhancements within the 500 free (4:52.38), 100 breast (1:02.05) and 200 IM (2:02.34) final season, which, whereas all a step under her 1650 free/200 breast/400 IM, make her a beneficial asset for groups in twin meets.

15. Ellie Stanley – Tennessee Aquatics – Maryville High School – Maryville, TN

Best Times:

• 200 fly: 1:57.35
• 100 fly: 53.45
• 400 IM: 4:15.57
• 200 IM: 2:00.15
• 200 free: 1:50.05
• 100 free: 50.87
• 50 free: 23.55
• 100 again: 56.06

Stanley is without doubt one of the prime butterfly swimmers within the class, along with her 200 being her finest occasion after back-to-back seasons posting 1:57-mids. Stanley went 1:57.41 as a 15-year-old in March 2025, after which reset her finest time this previous January on the Tennessee Aquatics Invite in 1:57.35, placing her simply over a second shy of the NCAA cutline and rating her sixth within the class. Among the 5 swimmers forward of her within the 200, Stanley’s 100 fly is quicker than two of them, making her top-of-the-line two-event fliers within the class. She’s been below 54 seconds 4 occasions, having lowered her finest time from 53.89 to 53.45 final season. For a 3rd occasion, Stanley had an enormous drop within the 400 IM final season, getting all the way down to 4:15.57 (from 4:18.93) to return inside roughly 2.5% of the cutline. However, the NCAA schedule has the 100 fly and 400 IM back-to-back, doubtless indicating Stanley will swim the 200 IM within the postseason, having improved by eight-tenths final season in 2:00.15. The Tennessee native can be a growing freestyler, and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see if her 23.5/50.8/1:50.0 finest occasions enhance this season and make her a possible free relay candidate down the road.

14. Maggie Dickinson – Schroeder Swim Team – Whitefish Bay High School – Milwaukee, WI

Best Times:

• 200 again: 1:53.40
• 100 again: 52.56
• 100 free: 49.17
• 50 free: 22.65
• 50 again: 24.50
• 100 fly: 55.29

Dickinson is an elite backstroker who additionally tasks to be a key dash free relay participant in school. The Schroeder Swim Team product has been 52-point within the 100 again and 1:53-point within the 200 again for 2 straight seasons, placing her proper close to the highest of the category in each occasions. Dickinson went 1:53.40 as a highschool freshman within the 200 again, rating her 14th all-time amongst 15-year-olds within the U.S., and she or he was additionally 52.66 within the 100 again. This previous season, she lowered her finest time to 52.56 within the 100 again at Winter Juniors – West, putting Third, whereas within the 200 again, she went 1:53 twice, together with 1:53.81 en path to putting 2nd at Winter Juniors. At the YMCA SC Championships in late March, Dickinson received titles within the 100 free (49.17), 100 again (53.04) and 200 again (1:53.43), setting a brand new finest within the 100 free and a season-best within the 200 again, whereas delivering a 24.50 again finest time and a 1:47.78 200 free leg on relays. A theoretical NCAA schedule for Dickinson would doubtless embody the 50 free as her third occasion, having been 22.75 as a freshman after which 22.65 as a sophomore. Her 200 again finest time from final season is simply 5 one-hundredths shy of the NCAA cutline, so with continued enchancment over the following two seasons, Dickinson is a possible scorer instantly when she will get to school. Most not too long ago, she went 28.58 within the lengthy course 50 again on the Indianapolis Pro Swim, which ranks sixteenth all-time within the ladies’ 15-16 age group. That pace says she’s doubtless the long run lead-off swimmer of a 200 medley relay at NCAAs.

13. Grace Koenig-Song – NASA Wildcat Aquatics – Chicago, IL

Best Times:

• 200 breast: 2:10.83
• 100 breast: 1:00.28
• 200 IM: 1:59.83
• 400 IM: 4:17.82
• 50 free: 22.99
• 100 free: 49.98
• 200 free: 1:51.32
• 50 breast: 27.98

Koenig-Song is the third-fastest swimmer within the class in each breaststroke occasions and in addition boasts a sub-2:00 finest time within the 200 IM. The NASA Wildcat Aquatics member has been top-of-the-line breaststrokers within the nation for her age all through her younger profession, at present proudly owning NAG information for 11-12 ladies within the SCY 100 breast (1:02.02) and for 13-14 ladies within the LCM 50 breast (31.80). She’s continued to enhance via her sophomore yr of highschool, hitting new bests within the 100 breast (1:00.28) and 200 breast (2:10.83) final season to rank Third within the class in each and pull inside 3% of the NCAA cutline. Her 200 breast PB got here at Winter Juniors – West, the place she earned a Third-place end, whereas within the 100 breast, she produced her 1:00.28 finest en path to successful the NCSA junior title—the place she additionally received the 50 breast (27.99). Koenig-Song additionally broke 2:00 for the primary time within the 200 IM at Winter Juniors in 1:59.83, after which backed that up by doing it once more at NCSAs in 1:59.90. And whereas these are doubtless the three particular person occasions she’ll concentrate on in school, she’s additionally was a really strong dash freestyler, having damaged 23 within the 50 and 50 within the 100 to offer her some further relay worth. With a takeover, she’s been as quick as 22.55/49.77 within the 50/100 free, and she or he’s additionally been 27.45 within the 50 breast.

12. Jianna Amores – South Florida Stallions – Mater Lakes Academy – Miami, FL

Best Times:

• 100 fly: 51.78
• 200 fly: 1:58.70
• 100 again: 54.43
• 100 free: 50.35
• 50 free: 23.69
• 200 IM: 2:03.42

Amores is one in every of simply 9 swimmers within the class proudly owning a 2026 NCAA-qualifying time along with her scorching 51.78 PB within the 100 fly, which makes her one in every of simply two within the class sub-52. The FHSAA Class 2A state champion from Mater Lakes Academy entered the 2025-26 season with a finest time of 53.18 within the 100 fly, having produced that swim in June 2025, after which broke 53 for the primary time en path to successful the Florida state title in November (52.58). At Winter Juniors – East in December, Amores unleashed her present finest time of 51.78 within the remaining, taking the runner-up place behind Charlotte Crush to get properly below the NCAA cutline (52.03) and inside placing distance of scoring place (51.33). In the 200 fly, Amores introduced her finest time down from 2:00.30 to 1:58.70 at Winter Juniors, successful the ‘C’ remaining. She’s nonetheless growing in that occasion, and as soon as she’s capable of shut the final 50 a little bit stronger, she ought to be pushing the NCAA cutline. The South Florida Stallions member simply set a brand new lengthy course PB en path to successful the ‘A’ remaining on the Ocala Sectionals within the 200 fly, which is an enormous step in the appropriate route. She additionally set finest occasions within the 100 free (50.35) and 100 again (54.43) final season, which function good secondary occasions in her program. Getting her 100 free into the 49s this season will go a good distance in growing her relay worth.

11. Heba Fouitah – Aiken-Augusta Swim League – Lakeside High School – Augusta, GA

Best Times:

• 200 IM: 1:58.51
• 100 fly: 53.03
• 200 free: 1:46.96
• 100 free: 49.59
• 50 free: 22.86
• 200 again: 1:56.34
• 100 again: 53.57
• 400 IM: 4:15.24
• 200 fly: 2:00.20
• 200 breast: 2:16.65

Fouitah is an extremely versatile swimmer coming off a powerful sophomore season that noticed her set new finest occasions in all of her main occasions. On paper, her finest occasion is the 200 IM, having dropped greater than a second final season in 1:58.51, pulling her inside 1% of the NCAA cutline. Her most spectacular leaps ahead final season got here within the 200 free and 100 fly, the place she dropped two seconds apiece to put up respective occasions of 1:46.96 and 53.03. In the 200 free, she’s one in every of simply eight within the class below 1:47, whereas within the 100 fly, she’s sixth-fastest amongst the group. The Aiken-Augusta Swim League product has a dash free arsenal that provides her loads of relay worth, together with setting a brand new PB of twenty-two.86 within the 50 in late June. She’s additionally 49.5 within the 100 and extra importantly has been 48.6 from a takeover. Her backstroke occasions are additionally aggressive and she or he dropped 4 seconds final season within the 400 IM, however her focus in school doubtless surrounds the 200 IM, 100 fly and 200 free. Of course, with the 100 fly and 200 free being conflicting occasions, the 100 free or 200 again is also choices for her to swim individually.

10. Emma Hussein – Canyon Aquatic Club – West Ranch High School – Stevenson Ranch, CA

Best Times:

• 200 IM: 1:57.23
• 400 IM: 4:12.37
• 100 breast: 1:01.21
• 200 breast: 2:11.26
• 100 fly: 53.76
• 100 again: 54.83
• 200 again: 1:59.87
• 50 free: 23.40
• 100 free: 51.32
• 200 free: 1:51.43

Hussein is an elite medley swimmer who made huge enhancements in breaststroke and butterfly final season, making her a real all-arounder and a top-10 recruit. Just over two months in the past, she received the CIF Southern Section D1 title within the 200 IM in a time of 1:57.23, marking her fourth profession swim sub-2:00 and a brand new PB by greater than two seconds relative to the place she was coming into the season. The time places her below the NCAA cutline and ranks 4th within the class. She was additionally the runner-up within the 100 breast on the meet, clocking 1:01.21 to mark a finest by practically two seconds, after which a number of weeks later, fired off an enormous PB of two:11.26 within the 200 breast. She got here into the season with respective bests of 1:03.10 and a couple of:17.00, so her breaststroke actually reached a brand new degree in 2025-26. The Canyon Aquatic Club member additionally has a 400 IM PB of 4:12.37, which is inside 2% of the cutline, and add that to proudly owning a sub-54 100 fly finest time and sub-55 100 again PB, and her versatility is admittedly one thing that stands out. Freestyle is a relative weak spot, however she’s coming alongside after setting bests within the 50, 100 and 200 (23.4/51.3/1:51.4) final season.

9. Avery Daigle – Franco’s Fins – Mandeville High School – Mandeville, LA

Best Times:

• 50 free: 22.21
• 100 free: 48.94
• 100 fly: 53.57
• 100 again: 53.79
• 50 again: 24.69
• 200 IM: 2:01.72
• 200 again: 2:00.47
• 200 free: 1:49.20

Daigle is a proficient sprinter whose bread and butter is the 50 and 100 free however also can throw down within the 100 again and 100 fly. The occasion that jumps out for the Mandeville, La., native is the 50 free, the place she’s been 22.85 or sooner eight separate occasions, headlined by the 22.21 that she dropped at Winter Juniors – West in December. That swim certified her 1st out of the prelims earlier than putting 2nd within the remaining in 22.28. She set her finest time of 48.94 within the 100 free on the similar meet, successful the ‘B’ remaining, and people two performances rank Third (50 free) and fifth (100 free) within the class. At the Louisiana Senior State Championships in February, her momentum continued with finest occasions within the 200 free (1:49.20), 50 again (24.69) and 100 fly (53.57) whereas additionally claiming titles within the 50 free (22.66) and 100 free (49.06). The greatest takeaway from that meet, nonetheless, could be the 21.63 anchor leg she dropped en path to giving the Franco’s Fins a comeback win within the 200 free relay. That’s an elite break up irrespective of who you’re speaking about, not to mention a highschool sophomore. Her relay worth shall be immense in school, with a capability to contribute on all 4 200/400 relays, and the person program would be the 50 and 100 free, with the 100 fly doubtless serving because the third occasion.

8. Brinkleigh Hansen – Saint Petersburg Aquatics – Saint Petersburg High School – Saint Petersburg, FL

Best Times:

• 500 free: 4:38.51 (finest in school)
• 1000 free: 9:38.87 (finest in school)
• 1650 free: 16:18.11
• 200 free: 1:46.27
• 400 IM: 4:15.85
• 200 fly: 1:59.88

Distance freestylers usually slide down the rankings just because they’ve fewer alternatives to impression the staff race. They’re often not in any relays, and plenty of of them are solely a scoring menace in a single particular person race, typically two, and barely three. For Hansen, she has a adorned resume that features successful the 2024 World Junior Open Water title within the ladies’ 5km, claiming a silver medal as a member of the U.S. ladies’ 4×200 free relay on the 2025 World Junior Championships, and she or he’s additionally represented the U.S. on the World Championships in open water. In brief course yards, she leads the category along with her finest occasions within the 500 free (4:38.51) and 1000 free (9:38.87), each produced final season. Her time within the 500 is NCAA scoring worthy (4:39.19 was the sixteenth place cut-off in 2026), whereas her PB of 16:18.11 within the 1650 is below the NCAA cutline (and ranks Third within the class). Helping enhance her case within the rankings is her growth final season within the 200 free, dropping a finest time of 1:46.27 to complete because the FHSAA Class 3 State Championship runner-up, which makes her a future candidate for the 800 free relay. Her 400 IM better of 4:15.85 additionally places her in good condition if that’s an occasion she needs to focus on sooner or later. Her run of fine kind has continued into the summer time, setting lengthy course bests within the 200, 800 and 1500 free final month on the Mel Zajac Jr. International meet.

7. Shelby Hutchinson – South Jersey Aquatic Club – Haddon Township High School – Haddon Township, NJ

Best Times:

• 100 again: 51.87
• 200 again: 1:55.49
• 100 fly: 52.26
• 50 free: 22.63
• 100 free: 49.51
• 200 fly: 2:03.63
• 50 again: 24.52

Hutchinson went on a tear via the primary few months of 2026, elevating herself into the highest 10 with some breakthrough performances in again, fly and free. At Winter Juniors – East in December, she set lifetime bests within the 50 free (23.29), 100 again (53.11), 200 again (1:55.49) and 100 fly (53.04), however that was solely the start of her run of fine kind. She set finest occasions within the 50 free (23.16), 100 free (50.16), 50 again (24.56) and 50 fly (24.35) in January, then dropped a pair of huge swims within the 100 again (51.87) and 100 fly (52.26) on the NISAA Meet of Champions in late February, the previous placing her simply 4 one-hundredths off the NCAA cutline and the latter inside 23 one-hundredths. She wrapped up the brief course season with a bang on the Middle Atlantic Senior Championships in March, successful gold and setting finest occasions within the 50 free (22.63), 100 free (49.51) and 50 again (24.52) whereas additionally claiming the 100 again, 200 again and 100 fly titles. As a flexible sprinter, Hutchinson will face the traditional 100 again/100 fly double in school that many swimmers take care of, and given they’re arguably her two finest occasions, she matches the invoice of somebody keen to tackle each races back-to-back. The 200 again is probably going her third occasion, however her dash free got here a good distance final season, that means both the 50 or 100 could possibly be an choice, and naturally, she’s received loads of relay worth. Her 24.5 50 again is already at an elite degree, and she or he’s break up 23.7 within the 50 fly from a flying begin.

6. Daniela Linares Danzos – Pleasanton Seahawks – San Ramon Valley High School – Danville, CA

Best Times:

• 200 again: 1:51.87 (finest in school)
• 100 again: 52.60
• 50 again: 24.60
• 100 fly: 53.18
• 100 free: 50.62
• 50 free: 23.44
• 200 IM: 2:01.37
• 400 IM: 4:23.99
• 200 fly: 2:01.56
• 200 free: 1:52.22

Linares Danzos took over as the highest swimmer within the class within the 200 again after dropping practically two seconds from her lifetime finest in May. In between the CIF North Coast Section Championships and the CIF State Championships, Pleasanton Seahawks swimmer put up a time of 1:51.87 within the occasion, overtaking Reina Liu‘s 1:52.17 for top billing in the class. That performance puts Linares Danzos inside NCAA scoring range, as 1:51.97 was required to earn a point at the 2026 championships. And despite the fact that’s her solely profession swim below 1:53.5, she’s carried her 200 again momentum into the lengthy course season, breaking the Mexican National Record twice, in the end going 2:09.89 to rank nineteenth all-time within the 15-16 age group. Linares Danzos additionally set finest occasions within the 100 again (52.60) and 100 fly (53.18) final season, giving her a powerful three-event lineup for her school profession. Her freestyle continues to be growing, however enhancements over the following two seasons may ends in her being a free relay contributor.

5. Karina Plaza – Mecklenburg Swim Association – Myers Park High School – Charlotte, NC

Best Times:

• 200 breast: 2:09.40
• 100 breast: 59.94
• 200 IM: 1:57.44
• 400 IM: 4:12.12
• 200 again: 1:55.72
• 100 again: 53.47
• 50 again: 24.75
• 200 free: 1:47.66
• 100 free: 50.48

Plaza had a historic freshman yr of highschool, turning into the youngest feminine swimmer ever below the 1:00 barrier within the 100 breaststroke. Fourteen on the time, Plaza put up a time of 59.94 within the 100 breast on the North Carolina Swimming SC Age Group Championships in February 2025, breaking the decade-old 13-14 NAG file of 1:00.02 held by former UVA star Alexis Wenger. Plaza adopted up the following day by setting one other NAG file within the 200 breast, clocking 2:09.40. She additionally set her 200 and 400 IM finest occasions in February 2025, posting respective mark of 1:57.44 and 4:12.12. All 4 of these occasions stay her PBs, however that’s to not say Plaza had a foul 2025-26 season. She was 1:01.08/2:11.15 within the breaststroke occasions, 1:58.3/4:12.7 within the IMs, and set new bests in all three backstrokes (24.7/53.4/1:55.7) to assist increase her occasion vary. As the second-fastest breaststroker within the class who can be among the many finest within the 200 IM and a really strong backstroker, Plaza is without doubt one of the extra proficient swimmers on this group. If she will be able to get her breaststroke again within the sub-1:00/sub-2:10 vary whereas persevering with to enhance elsewhere, she’ll be harmful in her junior yr.

4. Ellie Clarke – Carmel Swim Club – Carmel High School – Carmel, IN

Best Times:

• 200 fly: 1:53.62 (finest in school)
• 400 IM: 4:06.77
• 200 IM: 1:57.73
• 1650 free: 16:09.17
• 1000 free: 9:49.27
• 500 free: 4:41.67
• 200 again: 1:53.17
• 100 again: 52.16
• 100 fly: 53.76
• 200 free: 1:47.31
• 100 free: 49.32
• 50 free: 22.88

Clarke is a dynamic expertise who is without doubt one of the finest swimmers within the class in the whole lot however breaststroke. She leads the category within the 200 fly with an NCAA scoring worthy 1:53.62 finest time, whereas she’s additionally below the cutline in 4 different occasions. That contains the five hundred free (4:41.67), 1650 free (16:09.17), 200 again (1:53.17) and 400 IM (4:06.77). Among these 4 races, she’s extremely near the NCAA scoring cut-off within the mile (16:08.76) and 400 IM (4:06.02). Clarke is simply shy of the cutline within the 100 again (52.16) and 200 IM (1:57.73), and her dash freestyle finest occasions make her a possible free relay contributor at 22.8/49.3/1:47.3. This previous season, she helped Carmel win one more IHSAA state title with particular person wins within the 100 again and 200 IM (1:57.73 for a brand new PB), after which went off on the Four Corners Sectionals in March, rewriting her finest occasions within the 50, 100, 500 and 1650 free, the 100 and 200 again, 200 fly and 400 IM whereas throwing some spectacular relay splits that included 1:45.45 within the 200 free and 23.38 within the 50 fly. At the meet, she went six-for-six in particular person gold medals and finest occasions. The solely factor working in opposition to her in school swimming is the three-event entry restrict on the NCAA Championships. Clarke can swim something, however proper now, her almost certainly lineup would come with the 200 fly and 400 IM, and probably the 1650 free. However, the mile could possibly be on the chopping block in favor of the 200 IM or 500 free. It will all most likely rely upon the power of subject and her staff’s areas of want when these meets roll round, however the one factor we are able to say for positive is that she tasks as a future centerpiece of an NCAA staff. It simply speaks to how deep the highest finish of this class is that she ranks 4th.

3. Mikayla Tan – San Ramon Valley Aquatics – San Ramon, CA 

Best Times:

• 200 breast: 2:06.74 (finest in school)
• 100 breast: 59.04 (finest in school)
• 200 IM: 1:56.13
• 400 IM: 4:16.03
• 200 fly: 1:56.88
• 100 fly: 53.70
• 200 free: 1:48.55
• 100 free: 50.37
• 50 free: 23.42

Tan is a multi-time NAG file holder and will turn into top-of-the-line breaststrokers we’ve seen within the NCAA over the previous decade. This previous December at Winter Juniors – West, Tan produced a shocking time of two:06.74 within the 200 breast, breaking Lydia Jacoby‘s meet record while nearly taking down Alex Walsh‘s 15-16 NAG record of 2:06.40 despite being just 15. That performance gives Tan one of just two NCAA ‘A’ final-qualifying swims within the class—that swim would’ve positioned sixth on the 2026 NCAAs, with 4 of the 5 swimmers she trails being seniors. She additionally leads this class within the 100 breast along with her finest time of 59.04, additionally set en path to successful the title at Winter Juniors, which is an NCAA qualifying time and simply six one-hundredths off what it took to attain final season. She added a 3rd PB at Winter Juniors within the 200 IM, putting 2nd in 1:56.13 to rank Third within the class and get comfortably below the NCAA scoring threshold. That provides her three high-level occasions that she’ll doubtless be capable of step proper in to school and rating in. But past that, she’s received spectacular finest occasions within the 100 fly (53.70) and 200 fly (1:56.88), the latter of which coming at an off-the-cuff mid-October meet. She additionally set new bests within the 50 (23.42), 100 (50.37) and 200 free (1:48.55) final season, and has been 22.6 within the 50 from a takeover. She additionally has a noteworthy 26.97 50 breast break up on her resume. Tan could possibly be an NCAA title contender as quickly as her freshman yr within the 200 breast, whereas she’s a possible scorer proper from the bounce within the 100 breast and 200 IM to go together with being a staff’s go-to breaststroker for the medley relays.

2. Reina Liu – TAC Titans – Raleigh Charter High School – Cary, NC

Best Times:

• 100 again: 51.00 (finest in school)
• 200 again: 1:52.17
• 200 IM: 1:55.86
• 200 fly: 1:55.82
• 100 fly: 52.00
• 200 free: 1:44.49 (finest in school)
• 100 free: 48.16
• 50 free: 21.93
• 400 IM: 4:09.88
• 50 again: 23.99
• 200 breast: 2:16.54
• 100 breast: 1:03.01

Liu is an distinctive swimmer with NCAA qualifying occasions throughout six totally different occasions, essentially the most of anybody within the class. She has NCAA scoring occasions within the 100 again, the place she leads the category at 51.00, and the 200 IM, the place she ranks a detailed 2nd to Gabi Brito in 1:55.86. Liu additionally has finest occasions quick sufficient to earn an NCAA invite within the 50 free (21.93), 200 again (1:52.17), 100 fly (52.00) and 200 fly (1:55.82), rating 2nd within the class in all however the 100 fly, the place she’s Third. She’s additionally the quickest swimmer within the class within the 200 free (1:44.49) and ranks 2nd within the 100 free (48.16). Furthermore, each one in every of her finest occasions was set this previous season, displaying that she’s on a gradual enchancment curve. Similar to Ellie Clarke, Liu virtually has too many choices for her potential NCAA occasion lineup. The 100 again, 200 again and 200 IM looks as if the almost certainly setup, after which she will be able to make the most of her elite 21.9/48.1/1:44.4 dash free talents on the relays. Representing Canada internationally, Liu certified for the Pan Pacific Championships final week on the Canadian Trials within the girls’s 4×100 free relay, that means she’ll be gaining some important worldwide expertise this summer time.

1. Gabi Brito – Beach Cities Alpha – Santa Monica High School – Santa Monica, CA 

Best Times:

• 100 fly: 50.74 (finest in school)
• 200 IM: 1:55.76 (finest in school)
• 50 free: 21.66 (finest in school)
• 100 free: 47.77 (finest in school)
• 200 free: 1:46.07
• 100 again: 51.46
• 200 again: 1:55.57
• 200 fly: 1:57.52
• 400 IM: 4:12.69
• 200 breast: 2:13.04
• 100 breast: 1:01.60

Brito had some robust competitors, however holds the highest rating on this class along with her elite talents throughout dash free and fly, coupled with the perfect 200 IM within the class and robust occasions in virtually each different occasion on this system. The occasion that jumps off the web page most for Brito is the 100 fly, because the Beach Cities Swimming standout popped off a blistering time of fifty.74 on the CIF Southern Section D1 Championships, rating her 4th all-time within the ladies’ 15-16 age group (at 15) and below what it took to make the NCAA ‘A’ remaining final season. At the identical meet, she set a lifetime better of 21.66 within the 50 free, rating Third all-time within the age group and inside NCAA scoring vary. Those performances got here after she set finest occasions en path to successful titles at Winter Juniors – West in 22.09 (50 free) and 51.55 (100 fly), displaying simply how a lot she progressed over the course of final season. She additionally received the Winter Juniors – West title within the 100 free (47.77), 100 again (51.78) and 200 IM (1:55.99), after which continued to rewrite her private file ebook via the primary few months of 2026, together with clocking 1:46.07 within the 200 free, 51.46 within the 100 again and 23.17 within the 50 fly. The quickest swimmer within the class in 4 premier occasions, Brito shall be a big-time scorer for her future school program, doubtless within the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly, after which what she’ll be capable of do on relays is nearly scary. She’s so fast in dash free and fly proper now, along with her backstroke not far off, so the sky’s the restrict.

BONUS LOOKBACK

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