Dartmouth Picks Up Verbal Commitment from U.S. Open Qualifier JD Chen for 2026-27

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Richmond, Virginia’s JD Chen has verbally committed to the admission process at Dartmouth College. He will head north to Hanover in the fall of 2026.

Chen is a senior at The Collegiate School. As a junior last season, he placed 5th in the 50 free, with a PB of 21.87, and 7th in the 100 free (47.53) at the Virginia Independent Schools State Championships.

A member of Nova of Virginia Aquatics, Chen competed at the Virginia LSC Senior Short Course Championships in March and logged new PBs in the 50 free (21.34), 100 back (52.23), 200 IM (1:49.99), and 400 IM (3:54.25). He placed 3rd in the 200 IM, 5th in the 400 IM, 18th in the 50 free, and 23rd in the 100 free. Two weeks later, he clocked lifetime bests in the 200 back (1:47.84), 50 breast (25.55), and 100 breast (57.42) at the NCSA Spring Championships.

At the summer version of the Virginia LSC State Championships, he placed 7th in the 50 breast, 11th in the 200 back, 18th in the 100 breast, 19th in the 400 IM, 25th in the 200 IM, and 26th in the 50 free. He finished with lifetime bests in the 50 free (24.54), 50 breast (29.92), and 100 breast (1:07.32).

Best SCY times:

• 200 IM – 1:49.99
• 400 IM – 3:54.25
• 200 back – 1:47.84
• 200 breast – 2:06.17
• 100 breast – 57.42

Chen will join the Big Green’s class of 2030 with Alex Menshutkin and Sawyer Stolarczyk. His 200 back time would have scored in the ‘C’ final at the 2025 Ivy League Men’s Championships. It took 1:47.49/4:04.85 in the IMs and 57.16/1:59.49 in the breaststrokes to make it back to score in finals at the conference meet.

*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].

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster

^{FFT is a SwimSwam partner.}