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Kai Flanagan, a senior at Punahou School in Honolulu, has verbally committed to California Baptist University for the class of 2027.
“I’m so stoked to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at California Baptist University! A huge thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way! Lance up!!!”
Flanagan helped the Punahou girls defend their Hawaii High School Athletic Association title in February, the team’s seventh consecutive victory. Flanagan won the 200 free and 500 free, repeat victories for the senior who led a sweep of the two events for Punahou. She also anchored the 400 free relay with a split of 52.52, helping the team win the event by almost nine seconds. The relay’s total time, 3:30.03, almost met the state record of 3:29.35, which was set by Punahou in 2018.
Flanagan also competes for the Kamehameha Swim Club. She’s a versatile freestyler, with Futures cuts in all of the free events. At the 2023 Four Corners Speedo Sectionals in Austin, Flanagan finished 10th in the 1650, 17th in the 1000, and 26th in the 500.
Best short-course yards times
- 50 free: 23.94
- 100 free: 51.56
- 200 free: 1:51.19
- 500 free: 4:55.31
- 1000 free: 10:15.46
- 1650 free: 17:07.25
Cal Baptist is a member of the Western Athletic Conference. At the 2023 WAC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, Cal Baptist finished 6th out of 6 teams. With her best times, Flanagan would’ve finished 6th in the 200 and 500 free, and 7th in the 1650. In both the 500 and 1650, the only CBU swimmer faster than Flanagan is junior Lydia Bartlett.
But Flanagan’s free versatility is clear–she also would’ve made the B final of the 50 and 100 free. And overall for the season, Flanagan’s best 50 and 100 free times would’ve put her third overall on the team for each of those races. However, the coaches might choose to put her in the 200, where her best time would’ve made her the program’s best in that race for the 2022-23 season. As Bartlett heads into senior year, Flanagan could also rise to the top of CBU’s distance team.
Flanagan joins sprint backstroker and freestyler Olivia Walton and multi-stroker Mia Llamas in the class of 2027.
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