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.
Aileen Zheng, a Futures finalist from Fremont, California has announced her decision to remain in-state with her commitment to the University of California, Davis. A senior at Saint Francis High School, Zheng will join the Aggies in the fall of 2023.
I’m super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at University of California, Davis! So incredibly grateful for my family, friends, and coaches who have helped me along the way. Can’t wait for the next 4!!! #goags
Zheng trains and competes with the Santa Clara Swim Club. She excels in a variety of strokes, holding Futures qualifying times in the 100 back, 100 fly, 100 breast, and 200 breast.
Best Times (SCY):
- 100 free- 53.03
- 100 back- 57.61
- 100 breast-1:05.33
- 200 breast- 2:22.65
- 100 fly- 55.79
In July of 2022, Zheng competed at the Santa Clara Futures Championships (all LCM). Her highest finish of the meet came in the 100 breaststroke, where she qualified for the D final and ultimately finished 27th. Her time of 1:14.64 was a new personal best, dropping a total of 1.23 seconds.
In the 100 back she dropped .43 seconds to go 1:12.02 and finish 101st. Her 100 fly time of 1:05.82 was good enough for 81st, and nearly a second faster than her previous record. Zheng also led off the 400 freestyle relay, clocking a new personal record of 1:01.42.
UC Davis has a Division I women’s-only swim program that competes as part of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Conference. Last month, at the 2023 MPSF Championships, the Aggies finished in 5th place out of 10 teams.
Zheng will begin her career at UC Davis with times that would have qualified for several C finals at this year’s championships.
In the 100 breast, she would have placed 20th overall and 4th for the Aggies. Dani Fasen finished in 9th with teammates Haley Hoefer in 17th and Amelia Cho in 18th. Zheng would have placed 21st in the 200 breast, this time behind current sophomore Sam Rhodes who finished 4th, and Hoefer who came in 13th. Fasen and Cho are both seniors, leaving Davis with open breaststroke spots that Zheng will be able to step into.
After adding 10 freshmen to the team for the 2022-2023 season, UC Davis currently has 12 commitments for 2023-2024. Among the most notable include Winter Juniors qualifiers Nalanie Cortez and Kayla Gregory, both of whom own times that would have A-finaled at this year’s MPSF Championships.
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.
go aileen!
Go Aggies!