Summer Juniors Qualifier Sasha Karafin Makes Verbal Pledge to Yale for 2027-28

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Sasha Karafin, a junior at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, New York, has announced her verbal commitment to the admission process* at Yale University. She wrote to SwimSwam:

“I am STOKED to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process at Yale University to continue my academic and athletic careers! I want to thank my coaches and teammates at LIAC, my friends, teachers, and most importantly, my family for making this dream possible. Another HUGE thanks to Coach Jim and Coach Dana for giving me this incredible opportunity! Can’t wait to be a part of such an awesome group of people at YSD! BOOLA BOOLA 🐾💙”

Karafin does her club swimming with Long Island Aquatic Club. She was recognized as a “Best of the Rest” distance freestyler on our Way Too Early list of top girls’ recruits from the high school class of 2027.

In high school swimming last season, Karafin hit a number of season-best times at the New York Public Schools Girls’ State Championships in November. She came in 5th in the 500 free (4:57.24) and 6th in the 200 free (1:52.05) and led off both freestyle relays (25.22/53.58). Two weeks later, she hit PBs in the 200 free (1:50.50), 500 free (4:52.28), and 200 back (2:03.73). She also swam the 1000/1650 distances, placing 2nd in the former (10:06.36) and winning the latter (16:48.82). Her lifetime bests in both those events date from the spring of 2024.

Karafin had a strong long-course season as well, improving her PBs in the 50/100/800 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 fly, and 200 IM. She wrapped up at Summer Junior Nationals in Irvine, where she swam the 400/800/1500 free events and took home a PB in the 800 (9:04.29).

The Bulldogs are off to an early start building their women’s class of 2031. In addition to Karafin, they will also have Australian breaststroker Lacey Strachan on the roster in 2027-28.

Karafin’s best SCY times would already rack up points for Yale at the Ivy League Women’s Championships; she would have scored in 2025 in the top 8 of the mile, the ‘B’ final of the 500 free, and the ‘C’ final of the 200 free.

Best SCY times:

• 200 free – 1:50.50
• 500 free – 4:52.28
• 1000 free – 10:00.90
• 1650 free – 16:32.22

*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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