U.S. Open-Qualified Sprinter Jack Cunningham Announces Verbal Commitment to Princeton (2027)

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Jack Cunningham, a junior at Fairfield College Preparatory School in Fairfield, Connecticut, has announced his verbal commitment to the admission process* at Princeton University. He will join the Tigers in 2027 with “Best of the Rest” backstroker Jonny Palamar and the #5 diver in the class, Max Van Stone. Cunningham told SwimSwam:

“What really helped make the decision for me was the people. The connection and fun that I had with the team on my short weekend long visit was really the most important factor to me. I was immediately able to see myself spending my college career at Princeton. When I met the coaches, their authenticity and lightheartedness really stood out to me as well.”

Cunningham will follow in the footsteps of his parents, both of whom swam at Princeton. His father owned the program record in the 200 back for a time, and his mother swam distance (“whereas ironically, I rarely venture over a 200,” he noted).

Cunningham finished in 3rd place in both the 50 free (20.90) and 100 free (46.26) at the CIAC Boys State Open Championship last March. That marked a significant time drop over his freshman-year performances at the Connecticut high school open meet, when he placed 3rd (21.32) and 6th (47.23) in the respective events.

In club swimming, where he represents Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club, he owns 5 relay and 3 individual Connecticut state records. A week after sophomore high school season ended, he competed at Ithaca Sectionals and won the 50 free, was 4th in the 100 free, and came in 19th in the 200 free and 22nd in the 100 fly, all while clocking PBs of 20.29/45.24/1:39.83 and 50.66. He also registered freestyle relay splits of 19.86 and 44.43 and led off the CPAC 400 medley relay with a lifetime-best 52.06 100 backstroke.

Cunningham had a strong long-course season, as well, culminating in new PBs of 23.27/51.80/1:55.78 in the free and 57.15 in the 100 fly at Greensboro Futures. He was invited to USA Swimming’s 2025 National Select Camp (although he did not attend because of recruiting visits).

Best SCY times:

• 50 free – 20.29
• 100 free – 45.24
• 200 free – 1:39.83
• 50 fly – 23.43
• 100 fly – 50.66

Cunningham was named the 2024 Connecticut Male Swimmer of the Year.

I am absolutely blessed to announce my commitment to the admissions process at Princeton University. This opportunity means the world to me, and I couldn’t have gotten here without the incredible people in my life. Thank you to my family for being my greatest supporters, no matter what. Thank you to my friends and teammates at Wilton, CPAC, and Fairfield Prep for pushing me every day. Finally thank you to my coaches, especially Jaime Barone, and Rob Urban for your patience and guidance.
Thank you so much, Coach Matt, Mia, and Zach for this amazing opportunity. I can’t wait for what comes next.
Go Tigers!!

*Note: A verbal commitment between an Ivy League coach and a prospective student-athlete is not an offer of admission, as only the Admission Office has that authority. The coach can only commit his or her support in the admission process. Ivy League Admission Offices do not issue “Likely Letters” before October 1 of the prospective student-athlete’s senior year of high school. The Likely Letter, while issued after an initial read of the student’s application, is not an offer of admission to the university.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

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