2021 Pac-12 runner-up and NCAA qualifier Sam Baron has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. The rising junior swam her first two seasons of collegiate eligibility at UCLA.
Baron is a native of Bellevue, Washington. She swam in high school for Newport High and the Bellevue Club Swim Team and was a two-time individual Washington High School State Champion (2018 – 200 IM, 2019 – 100 fly).
Baron continued her high school success into her freshman year at UCLA, where she finished 2nd in the 100 fly (51.65) and 4th in the 200 fly (1:56.77) at the Pac-12 Championships. She qualified for NCAAs where her best finish was 37th in the 100 fly. She finished the season as the 12th-ranked 100 butterflier in the country.
She didn’t match those results as a sophomore – placing 8th in the 100 and 200 fly at Pac-12s and missing NCAA Championship qualification.
Time Progression, Short Course Yards:
| High School | Freshman (NCAA Rank) |
Sophomore (NCAA Rank)
|
|
| 100 fly | 53.39 | 51.65 (12th) | 52.50 (58th) |
| 200 fly | 1:57.97 | 1:55.66 (25th) | 1:56.47 (53rd) |
| 200 IM | 1:59.80 | 1:59.74 (95th) | 1:58.21 (74th) |
Baron’s best time in the 100 fly is both a Freshman Record and School Record at UCLA. She ranks #6 in program history in the 200 fly and #7 in program history in the 200 IM as well.
Baron declined to comment on her reasons for entering the portal or where she might go next.
What courage it must have taken to leave a school like UCLA and enter the transfer portal. I applaud these athletes for their bravery and strength to make a change for themselves. I imagine that swimming in a toxic environment takes its toll on the entire team. Future Bruins, pay attention to this deteriorating situation. Do your research and use these departures and current Bruins’ comments as cautionary tales. If Wolfram is still around after June, I strongly urge you to take your talents to a team that will truly support, encourage, and believe in you.
I figured there was some gross incompetence occurring when they couldn’t even qualify any relays the last two years. The team roster size was huge also. CA high school kids with junior cuts should be tripping over themselves to enroll at this school and pay their own way its such a hard school to get in to.
not a surprise at all. Jordan (and Karissa who follows in her lead) are to blame. The way Jordan uses verbal, emotional, & manipulation tactics to woo and coach her team is disgraceful. I’ve experienced it myself. And I still do not understand how the athletic department has not further investigated the situation they are currently investigating with Jordan, after the “list” ranking and labeling swimmers unfairly was found, especially due to the fact that a swimmer on the team found that list. But furthermore, it is upsetting and shocking that a school as profound as UCLA is still tolerating a toxic, verbally, and emotionally abusive manipulator like Jordan. What is her problem? Anyone who says they like Jordan is… Read more »
So happy for Sam, so sad for the UCLA swimmers. Another one bites the dust under Wolfrum. How may more…?
Sam is an amazing swimmer and an even better person. Happy for her that she “voted with her feet” but truly sad for the athletes on the team. There have been a multitude of documented instances of verbal, physical, emotional and psychological abuse by the coaching staff. It’s unreal. This is the second transfer, 1 more has “medically retired,” 1 quit, and 1 other wanted to medically retire but was told she couldn’t because it would look bad for the program. And the athletic department is sweeping it under the rug…
As a current Bruin, it is extremely sad and disheartening to see comments like these from outsiders. And yes, outsiders because this comment, and one’s previous, are misinformation.
We love Sam and wish her nothing but the absolute best.
Be better outsiders.
Well Said!
Seriously? We are not outsiders. Why would anyone who is not a swimmer on the UCLA swim team care enough to comment or think that their comment holds any weight and credibility in this situation? Oh right – a UCLA coach who is trying to save her job would and would try to claim disinformation.
Here’s the real information: I am a current UCLA swim team teammate of Sam’s, and if you really are too, you know very well how devastating it was yesterday at weights when Jordan finally allowed Sam to tell us that she’s leaving. Jordan and Karissa never come to weights, but they came yesterday because they were terrified that Sam would tell us that she… Read more »
Cyndi & Naya would disapprove. So disgraceful.
Seriously outsiders? This is true and I have the receipts to prove it!
How dare you!
Yikes. Second UCLA sophomore this year to enter transfer portal. Wishing Sam the best. She’s got a bright future ahead.
Lucky girl got out of Coach Wolfrum’s toxic environment! Can’t wait to see how much she improves with a qualified and loving coach❤️
What is happening at UCLA that you are referencing? More curious than anything.
Huge investigation ab Wolfrum abusing her swimmers. UCLA is covering it all up
What is toxic about it? As an alumnus of the men’s team, would genuinely like to understand if this true, or just more rumor spreading junk. Something isn’t working there yet though. So much untapped potential. Need to bring back the men’s team and hire a top-notch coach to truly revive both programs. Unlikely to ever happen for the men after all these years though, and I’m guessing the current women’s program salary is not super attractive for the LA high cost of living.
Not spreading junk , it’s an official investigation
Agreed. The reinstatement of a men’s team would make a huge impact. Not sure about the coaching salary but feel like the idea is worth genuinely exploring for the athletic department. The men’s team was a powerhouse & reinstatement would bring a new level attention to UCLA swim. Donors could help propel the movement.
I also agree with the untapped potential— not sure what needs to be fixed exactly but changes need to be made.
From a culture standpoint, I’ve heard a mix of allegations. I understand that there is an ongoing investigation conducted by UCLA of the coaching staff after reports of verbal abuse among other disheartening claims. I think it boils down to the age old mistreatment… Read more »
Agree. There are no elite women’s program that doesn’t have a male counter part.
Agree the revival of the men’s team would be great, but sadly that won’t fix the problems that are stemming from the coaching staff’s mistreatment of the female athletes.