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Baylor Stanton, from Lawrenceville, Georgia, has announced his intention to make the journey out west to swim and study at the University of California, Berkeley, beginning in the fall of 2026.
After careful consideration, I am honored to announce my verbal commitment to pursue my academic and athletic career at the University of California, Berkeley! First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my family, coaches, and friends who have provided me with the ability to excel in and out of the pool. I give praise to the Lord for guiding me through this decision, and I am truly grateful for Dave, Josh, and Noah’s unwavering support. I can’t wait to be a part of the legacy! Go Bears!🐻🔵🟡
A junior at Brookwood High School, Stanton swims club for Gwinnett Aquatics and is our #1 recruit in the high school class of 2026. He leads the cohort in both the 100/200 back and the 200/400 IM. He is the 15-16 NAG record-holder in the 200 back, and his current time is the fastest in the class by over 5 seconds (and he would have qualified for the 2024 NCAA Division I Championships). His IM times are in a level of their own, too, leading the field by 3 seconds in the 200 and more than 6 in the 400.
In high school swimming, Stanton won the 200 IM (1:44.74) and 100 back (46.79) at the 2024 GHSA 7A State Swimming and Diving Championships. In February 2023, the then-freshman won the 200 IM (1:46.52) and was runner-up in the backstroke (48.18).
He clocked PBs in the 100/200 back (46.57/1:41.24) and 200/400 IM (1:44.04/3:45.39) at Winter Juniors East last December, winning the 200 back and placing top 8 in the 100 back, 200 fly, and 200/400 IM. At the Georgia Northeastern Divisionals in March, he lowered his 200 back time by .7 to 1:40.58, and added PBs in the 500 free (4:20.53) and mile (15:13.99).
Stanton had an outstanding LCM season, too, hitting lifetime bests in the 200 back (2:00.28), 200 IM (2:01.14), and 400 IM (4:22.02) at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He wrapped up the summer at Huntsville Futures, winning the 200/400 IMs and finishing in the top 8 of the 100/200 back and 200 free. He clocked a 1:52.22 in the 200 free, adding another PB to his arsenal.
Stanton will join a Cal men’s squad that has produced backstrokers Ryan Murphy, Destin Lasco, Keaton Jones, Jacob Pebley, and Bryce Mefford – and that’s just the recent crew. In addition to his 200 back, which is already fast enough for NCAAs, he will be a huge asset to the Golden Bears in the IMs and on relays, with the 3rd-fastest 200 free in the class.
Best SCY times:
- 200 back – 1:40.58 (best in class)
- 100 back – 46.57 (best in class)
- 200 IM – 1:44.04 (best in class)
- 400 IM – 3:45.39 (best in class)
- 50 free – 20.36
- 100 free – 44.57
- 200 free – 1:36.39
- 500 free – 4:20.53
- 1000 free – 9:05.98
- 1650 free – 15:13.99
- 100 fly – 48.04
- 200 fly – 1:46.06
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Gongratulations Baylor and congrats to Cal! I think this is the perfect program for a swimmer with the kind of range and success Baylor has seen. Top notch team culture, one of the best coaches in modern history and a killer education. Look at the success of guys like Destin Lasco, Jack Alexy, Gabriel Jett, Keaton Jones and others over their careers there and how fast some of their freshman are already going! This team is going to be stacked with talent for the next several years and I have a feeling we are going to be seeing the name Baylor Stanton on top of NCAA podiums soon.
I think Texas is still looking like the strongest class with their three top 10s + Kim, but Cal is up there with these commits. I don’t know if Mahabir has any intention of coming to Cal (or even how much he’s swimming now) but if he does post-military service he’d be in this class as well
I count 34 men on the University of Texas swimming team roster. RIdiculous!
https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/mens-swimming-and-diving/roster
And Cal has 43, did not expect that. Wonder what Ohio State’s at right now
It’s interesting that nine of the Top 10 boys in the class of 2026 have already committed (mid-October), but only three of the Top 10 girls have.
I’m assuming there will be another article, but Matt Chai swam a 4:18 500 free at the UCSD Triton Invite. That’s an exciting addition for Cal this year since they’re relatively light in the distance free.
And Okadome with a 52.0 in the 100 breast.
If Zach Tan can contribute in the IMs they may not have as many holes as expected coming into the season.
And a 14:58 mile. In October. 👏🏽
Don’t let this distract you from the fact that Texas lost the 2 med to LSU🤣🤣🤣🫵🫵🤡🤡🤡🤡
lol wrong choice pal
CAL is on the roll – Congrats to “Da Bears”. It will be fun watching CAL vs TEXAS at NCAAs for the next decade.
Life is about the decisions you make. You just made a great one young man. 🐻