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Summer Juniors qualifier Kyle Wilburn has verbally committed to swim for West Virginia University beginning in the fall of 2027. Wilburn flipped his commitment after originally committing to Queens University earlier this year.
“After careful consideration, I am excited to announce my commitment to further my academic and athletic career at West Virginia University! I’d like to thank my parents, friends, teammates, and my coaches Brody, and Jon for helping me to get where I am today. I’d also like to thank the Coaches at WVU for always being there for me and the amazing opportunity. I would like to thank James, Michael, and Brent, for being so supportive with my decision. LETS GO MOUNTAINEERS!! TAKE ME HOME!!”
A rising senior at Cox Mill High School in North Carolina, Wilburn swims for Sailfish Aquatics and primarily specializes in the freestyle events. He raced at the 2025 Winter Junior Championships East in December, earning a second swim in two individual events. He placed 7th in the 200 free (1:38.71) and 16th in the 500 free (4:31.58) after setting personal best times of 1:37.23 and 4:27.32 during prelims.
Wilburn posted a series of strong swims at the 2026 Southeastern Meet of Champions in March, where he logged a new personal best time in three events. He placed 2nd in the 200 free (1:37.66), 3rd in the 50 free (20.41 – PB) and 500 free (4:29.12) and 4th in the 100 free (44.58 – PB), in addition to posting a lifetime best in the 50 fly (23.29).
Since his previous commitment, Wilburn has dropped over a second in the 100 and 200 free, nearly a full second in the 500 free and over half a second in the 50 free.
Best Times SCY:
- 50 free – 20.41
- 100 free – 44.58
- 200 free – 1:37.04
- 500 free – 4:27.32
- 1000 free – 9:38.08
A Division I program in the Big 12 Conference, the WVU men’s team finished 7th at this past season’s conference championships before sending one athlete, Levi Hellman, to compete at the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship. To earn a second swim at the 2026 Big 12 Conference Championships, it took times of 20.13/44.57/1:36.75/4:27.57 in the 50/100/200/500 free, meaning Wilburn would have landed in the ‘C’ final in the 500 free.
On the team itself, Wilburn would have ranked 3rd in the 50 free, 200 free and 500 free and 4th in the 100 free this past season. With another full season to go, it remains to be seen exactly how the roster will shake out, but Wilburn already looks poised to be a strong contributor for the Mountaineers.
Currently set to join Wilburn in WVU’s class of 2031 are Michael Metz, Drew Sito and Brayden Hale, who should all make for strong training partners over their four years together.
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