Top 20 NCAA Swimming Recruits In The Girls’ High School Class of 2026

It’s time to rank the top 20 girls in the high school class of 2026 after their junior year.

As college recruiting has reached earlier and earlier into high school classes, we’re continually expanding our recruiting ranks and coverage. Last spring, we ranked out the then-sophomore class. This is essentially a re-rank of that class, taking into account a year of improvements. Stay tuned to our recruiting channel for more additions to our yearly recruiting coverage:

• Girls & boys ranks for current juniors – high school class of 2026 (updated rankings from our “Way Too Early” rankings last spring)
• Way Too Early ranks for current sophomore girls & boys – high school class of 2027
• Re-Rank of outgoing senior girls & boys – high school class of 2025

Further reading:

• Way Too Early NCAA Recruiting Ranks: High School Girls Class of 2026 (as ranked last spring)

So without further ado, let’s take a look at this class as a whole, then review our ranking methodology and get into our rankings.

THIS CLASS

• Versatility defines this class, with most ranked recruits elite in multiple disciplines
• Solid sprint freestyle class, stronger in the 100/200 than the 50
• A few rangy freestylers that can go up or down, low on pure distance specialists
• Extremely deep backstroke class with eight sub-53 and eight sub-1:55
• A lot of sprinters specializing in back and fly, not many pure fly swimmers
• Not many top-end breaststrokers
• A few very good 400 IMers, not particularly deep in medley

TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2026

**The 1000 free isn’t an event at the Division I NCAA Championships, but is swum instead of the 1650 in many Division I dual meets and is part of the NCAA program in Division II.

With that out of the way, let’s get to our rankings.

Disclaimer: there are a lot of high school sophomores in the country, and no really good, complete, 100% accurate listing of them all. If you don’t see your favorite swimmer on the list, feel free to politely point them out in the comments. There’s a chance that we disagree with your assessment of their spot in the top 20, and so long as it’s done civilly, there’s no problem with differences of opinions. There’s also a chance that we’ve simply missed a no-brainer (we’ve taken every precaution to avoid that), and if that happens, we want to make sure we correct it.

BEST OF THE REST

In the Best of the Rest section, we outline a few standouts who didn’t quite crack the top 20 or an Honorable Mention spot.

Verbal commitments are listed where they’ve been reported. Each of these athletes is still an extremely high-level recruit:

• Sprint free:
  • Alyssa Albertyn (22.7/49.1/1:46.9, 53.9/1:55.7 BK) **Arizona State**
  • Lanie Tietjen (22.9/49.2/1:47.7, 1:01.9 BR, 54.5 FLY, 2:01.2 IM) **Princeton**
  • Ally Vernon (23.1/49.6/1:46.9, 53.7 FLY, 2:01.6 IM) **Virginia Tech**
  • Averie Hager (22.8/49.8/1:48.6, 53.4/1:59.0 FLY, 2:02.7 IM) **Notre Dame**
  • Jaylee Hager (23.2/49.9/1:47.5, 55.4/2:00.2 BK, 55.2 FLY, 2:03.3 IM) **Notre Dame**
  • Zoe Smith (23.2/49.3/1:50.9, 54.2/1:58.5 BK, 54.6 FLY) **NC State**
• Distance free:
  • Clare Custer (1:50.9/4:49.1/9:47/16:20) **Harvard**
  • Ellie Kayser (4:47.1/9:50/16:28) **Wisconsin**
  • Zoie Fjare (4:49.4/9:58/16:27) **UCLA**
  • Zoe de Fabrique (1:49.7/4:48.1/9:57/16:31) **Indiana**
  • Iris Kim (23.9/51.0/1:48.8/4:47.3/9:57/16:39, 4:17 IM) **Northwestern**
• Backstroke:
  • Eva Rottink (53.1/1:58.4, 23.6/51.2/1:49.9 FR, 55.7 FLY) **Indiana**
  • Mia Buff (52.8/1:56.0, 53.4 FLY, 23.8 FR) **Tennessee**
  • Ava Grazziani (53.5/1:54. 51.3/1:48.6/4:53.3 FR, 56.2 FLY) **Alabama**
  • Macey deGroot (53.5/1:56.8, 23.6/50.7/1:50.4 FR) **Arizona**
  • Maddie Thornton (53.4/1:56.8, 22.9/49.9/1:48.5 FR, 1:59.9 IM) **Georgia**
• Breaststroke:
  • Maddie Moreth (1:00.5/2:11.9) **Florida**
  • Ella McWhorter (1:00.5/2:12.6, 2:00.3 IM) **Texas A&M**
  • Sara Czirjak (1:02.2/2:11.3, 56.0 BK, 2:04 IM) **Virginia**
  • Grace Hunt (1:02.4/2:12.3) **Georgia**
  • Lilla Wilbur (1:01.6/2:11.7, 2:00.7/4:18.1 IM) **Wisconsin**
  • Addison Bitel (1:01.8/2:12.5, 2:05.2 IM) **Duke**
  • Rachel McAlpin (1:01.1/2:17.6) ** Arkansas**
  • Quinn Schureck (1:01.2/2:14.8, 55.4 BK, 54.6 FLY, 2:02.6 IM) **Kentucky**
• Butterfly:
  • Alyce Lehman (53.4/1:56.4, 23.4/51.2/1:49.9 FR, 2:02.1/4:19 IM) **Stanford**
  • Caroline Mallard (52.7/1:57.7, 23.1/50.0/1:49.1 FR) **Purdue**
  • Clare Watson (52.8/1:57.5, 22.9/50.8/1:49.6 FR, 54.6/1:57.2 BK, 2:01.5/4:19 IM) **Stanford**
  • Maya Hetland (54.3/1:57.2, 51.4/1:51.8 FR, 1:59.3 IM) **Arizona State**
  • Tori Yamamura (52.9/1:58.2, 51.9 FR, 56.6 BK, 2:01.2 IM) **Missouri**
  • Emma Belk (52.9/1:58.8, 23.3/50.5/1:50.0) **Indiana**
  • Taylor Klein (53.9/1:57.8, 23.2/50.9 FR, 54.3/1:56.8 BK, 2:02.9 IM) **Stanford**
• IM: 
  • Emma Cigna (2:01.4/4:13.8, 23.8/51.4/1:48.8 FR, 54.4/1:56.1 BK, 53.6/1:58.1 FLY) **NC State**
  • Elizabeth Bryan (1:59.9/4:14.5, 23.7/50.8/1:50.6 FR, 55.7/1:57.9 BK, 1:01.4/2:13.8 BR, 55.8 FLY) **Navy**
  • Rylee Hutchinson (2:02.1/4:14.8, 1:50.2/4:50.3 FR, 2:00.8 FLY) **USC**
  • Brooke Bennett (2:00.7/4:14.1, 1:49.0/4:47.7/9:55/16:44 FR, 56.1/1:59.6 BK) **Georgia**
  • Vivian Moulson (2:00.3/4:14.6, 1:50.0/4:52.7/9:58 FR, 54.4/1:58.3 FLY) **Wisconsin**

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Paring the list down to 20 always feels like pulling teeth. This isn’t an exhaustive list of others we considered, but the top few left off the list who made the decisions on 18-20 very difficult.

KC Braeger (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Lakeside Swim Team – Elizabethtown High School – Louisville, KY **Verbally committed to Stanford**

Best Times:

• 400 IM: 4:13.03
• 200 IM: 1:59.09
• 200 back: 1:55.29
• 100 back: 53.53
• 100 fly: 54.63
• 200 fly: 2:02.36
• 200 free: 1:50.82
• 100 free: 51.45
• 50 free: 23.95

Braeger took a big step in the medley events at Winter Juniors – East in December, cracking 2:00 for the first time in the 200 IM (1:59.09) and dropping five seconds in the 400 IM (4:13.03) to become one of the most well-rounded IMers in the class. Last year, she was featured as a “Best of the Rest” backstroke recruit, but now it’s fair to say she’s an all-arounder who arguably is best in the IMs. Her backstroke times also improved, down from 54.1/1:56.8 to 53.5/1:55.2, and she’s also solid in the 100 fly (54.6) and has been developing her sprint free, setting big best times this year to get down to 23.9/51.4/1:50.8. Braeger’s best events align perfectly with the  NCAA schedule, with the 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 back being her most likely lineup.

Anna Shnowske (Previous Rank: BOTR) – 757 Swim – Toano, VA **Verbally committed to Ohio State**

Best Times: 

• 200 fly: 1:56.31
• 100 fly: 53.48
• 200 free: 1:47.07
• 100 free: 49.49
• 50 free: 22.97
• 200 IM: 2:01.80
• 100 back: 56.32

Shnowske dropped four seconds in the 200 fly last season, becoming the fourth-fastest swimmer in the class in a time of 1:56.31, within a half-second of the 2025 NCAA cutline. A “Best of the Rest” sprint freestyler last year, Shnowske now arguably has the two fly events as her best, having dropped a second and a half in the 100 fly down to 53.48, right in the upper echelon of the class with only five sub-53. The Ohio State commit also made big strides in free, going from 23.2/50.2/1:48.2 to 22.9/49.4/1:47.0, making her a future relay asset for the Buckeyes. In the NCAA postseason, Shnowske’s only lock right now is the 200 fly on Day 4. She could swim either the 50 free or 200 IM on Day 2, the 100 fly or 200 free on Day 3, or double up with those two events and skip the first full day.

Kayda Geyer (Previous Rank: NR) – Mecklenburg Swim Association – Union Academy High School – Waxhaw, NC **Verbally committed to Colorado State**

Best Times:

• 100 breast: 1:00.66
• 200 breast: 2:11.00
• 400 IM: 4:16.48
• 200 IM: 2:01.06

The only swimmer who cracks the Honorable Mention list after not even being a “Best of the Rest” recruit last year, Geyer went from being off the radar to one of the top breaststrokers in the class. She dropped from 1:03.3 to 1:00.6 in the 100 breast, ranking her #6 in the class and putting her within 2% of the NCAA cutline. In the 200 breast, she lowered her best time from 2:16.2 to 2:11-flat, rocketing her up to #2 in the class. Although she still has another year of high school to go, Geyer is already within 64 one-hundredths of the Colorado State school record in the 100 breast (1:00.02), and she’s just over a second back of the 200 breast mark (2:09.85). As for the 200 IM, which will be her third event, she’s also on the precipice of the Rams’ record of 2:00.04, having dropped from 2:04.1 to 2:01.0 last season. At the U.S. National Championships in June, Geyer cracked the ‘A’ final in the 200 breast (2:28.79) and ultimately earned a spot on the American roster for the World Junior Championships.

Vera Conic (Previous Rank: #18) – Palatine Park District – Rolling Meadows High School – Rolling Meadows, IL **Verbally committed to NC State**

Best Times:

• 100 back: 52.57
• 200 back: 1:54.47
• 200 IM: 2:01.91
• 400 IM: 4:17.22
• 100 free: 51.54
• 100 fly: 55.39

Conic saw noted improvements in her two best events last season, cracking 53 in the 100 back and 1:55 in the 200 back to keep pace with the class’ best. Conic won the ‘B’ final of the 100 back at Winter Juniors – West in December in a best time of 52.57, which would’ve been good for 3rd in the ‘A’ final. At the same meet in the 200 back, she set back-to-back best times in the prelims (1:55.89) and final (1:54.47), making her the seventh-fastest swimmer in the class and putting her just three one-hundredths shy of being within 1% of the NCAA cutline. Conic’s backstroke ability is one that would normally put her in the top 20, but without a clear #3 event, she falls just short. Her medley events saw a bit of a breakthrough at the Illinois Senior Champs in March, winning the 200 IM (2:01.91) and 400 IM (4:17.22) with a pair of best times. Breaststroke is one area to work on if the 200 IM is going to be in her lineup moving forward.

Roos Rottink (Previous Rank: #9) – Memphis Thunder Aquatic Club – Houston High School – Germantown, TN **Verbally committed to Virginia**

Best Times:

• 200 back: 1:55.26
• 100 back: 53.21
• 100 fly: 53.96
• 200 fly: 2:00.12
• 50 free: 22.91
• 100 free: 50.13
• 200 free: 1:48.10
• 200 IM: 2:03.63

After being a top-10 recruit last year, Rottink only dropped time in one of her primary events, the 50 free, resulting in her sliding to the Honorable Mention list in 2025. She’s a very strong backstroker with her 53.2/1:55.2 best times, and though she didn’t drop, she essentially matched those in her junior year (53.4/1:55.2), including winning the TISCA state title in the 100 back. She cracked 54 seconds in the 100 fly back in February 2023, and has been consistent with 54.0s the past two seasons. Although doing the 100 back/100 fly double is possible (along with the 200 back), the 50 free seems more likely to be apart of Rottink’s schedule in college. She cracked 23 for the first time this past season in 22.91, and perhaps most notably, recorded relay splits of 22.22 in the 50 and 49.35 at the TISCA State Championships in February, showing her sprint free ability is better than her PBs suggest. Rottink heads into her senior year with some momentum after setting a best time and placing 5th in the 100 back (1:01.24) at Junior Nationals (LCM).

Ella Antoniewski (Previous Rank: #8) – Waukesha Express Swim Team – Waukesha High School – Waukesha, WI **Verbally committed to Georgia**

Best Times:

• 200 free: 1:46.52
• 500 free: 4:44.60
• 1650 free: 16:33.81
• 100 free: 49.72
• 50 free: 23.10
• 100 back: 53.61
• 200 back: 1:57.86
• 100 fly: 54.74
• 200 fly: 2:00.53
• 200 IM: 2:01.71

One of the most versatile swimmers in the class, Antoniewski, like Rottink, didn’t improve in her primary events last season, knocking her out of the top 20 after previously being ranked #8. Antoniewski’s skill set aligns perfectly with the Georgia Bulldogs, as she’s a rangy freestyler who is sub-50 in the 100 free and can go all the way up to the mile, where she’s been 16:33—though she didn’t race it at all last season. She repeated as WIAA Division I state champion last season in the 200 and 500 free, and those two events figure to be her two primary focuses moving forward, while in the 100 free or 200 back make sense as a third option if she doesn’t pursue the 1650. Another thing about Antoniewski is her ability to take on a heavy workload, having raced 19 times in five days at the NCSA Spring Championships in March. Despite the hectic schedule, she still set the majority of her season-bests at that meet, including narrowly missing her 100 free PB in 49.79.

Caden Martin (Previous Rank: #12) – TAC Titans – Cary Academy – Cary, NC  **Verbally committed to Virginia**

Best Times:

• 50 free: 22.21
• 100 free: 49.22
• 200 free: 1:50.02

Martin didn’t improve her 50 or 100 free best times last season, but did show remarkable consistency as she churned out 14 sub-23 swims in the 50 free (between 22.48 and 22.93) from November through March, and then two more at the TAC Titans Summer Sizzler at the beginning of August. She swept the NCISAA Division I state titles in the 50 free (22.48) and 100 free (49.35) in February, and in addition to producing several other sub-50 swims in the 100 free throughout the season, split 48.79 on the 400 medley relay at Winter Juniors – East. Given the consistency Martin has shown at going 22 and 49-point, once she arrives at Virginia, it feels like there’s a next level she’ll be able to unlock, given the sprint group and coaching the Cavaliers have. She also made strides last season in the 200 free, going from 1:51.6 to 1:50.0, though it seems more likely she goes all in on the 50 and 100 free rather than put much focus on the 200.

TOP 20 SWIMMERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2026

20. Maya Schweikert (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Mason Manta Rays – Kings Mills High School – Maineville, OH **Verbally committed to Georgia**

Best Times:

• 200 back: 1:53.33
• 100 back: 52.55
• 100 fly: 53.31
• 50 free: 23.64
• 100 free: 51.61
• 200 IM: 2:02.52
• 200 fly: 2:03.64

Schweikert essentially matched the NCAA cutline in the 200 back last season, clocking 1:53.33 (just off the official 1:53.31 invite time) after coming into the campaign with a best time of 1:56.02. That swim, produced at Winter Juniors – East, ranks her 33rd all-time in the 15-16 age group and 5th in this class. Her 100 back also took a big leap forward, dropping nearly two seconds in 52.55, and unlike the 200 back, which is her only career swim under 1:55, she’s now been sub-53 in the 100 four separate times. Schweikert made some strides last season in the sprint free events, something that can probably be taken further when she arrives at NC State, but it’s most likely she tackles the 100 back/100 fly double in college rather than add the 50 free to her individual lineup.

19. Quinn White (Previous Rank: #19) – Shawmut Aquatic Club – Wellesley, MA **Verbally committed to Duke**

Best Times:

• 200 back: 1:55.37
• 100 back: 53.38
• 500 free: 4:47.45
• 200 free: 1:46.86
• 100 free: 49.93
• 50 free: 23.29
• 200 IM: 2:00.03
• 1000 free: 9:53.84

White made modest drops in her best events while really improving in her secondary races during her junior year. The Duke commit is a very strong backstroke prospect with best times of 53.3/1:55.3, improving from her 53.8/1:55.5 last year, and increased her value with the strides she made in free and IM. She took off nearly a second to clock 1:46.86 in the 200 free, which would’ve ranked #1 on Duke last year. She also went sub-50 in the 100 free (49.93), dropped two seconds in the 500 free (4:47.45), and brought her 200 IM down to 2:00.03 to make it a viable option moving forward. It will be interesting to see if White pursues the 200/500 free individually in college, or simply keeps the 200 in her repertoire for relays and focuses more on the backstrokes and 200 IM (or 50 free).

18. Molly Workman (Previous Rank: #17) – Nittany Lion Aquatic Club – State College Area High School – Port Matilda, PA **Verbally committed to Virginia**

Best Times:

• 100 free: 48.85
• 50 free: 22.37
• 200 free: 1:48.96
• 100 back: 54.65
• 100 fly: 53.94
• 100 breast: 1:02.40
• 200 IM: 2:02.04

Workman is one of five swimmers in this class who are sub-49 in the 100 free, the most valuable event in college swimming, making her a future relay factor for Virginia. She made steady improvement in her junior year, dropping three-tenths in the 50 free (22.37) and nearly half a second in the 100 free (48.85), but the most impressive part of her last 12 months has been how she’s punched up her versatility. She dropped from 55.0 to 53.9 in the 100 fly, and after her 100 back and 100 breast best times weren’t even featured in last year’s rankings because they weren’t competitive, she’s now 54.65 in back (2.41-second drop) and 1:02.40 on breast (1.92-second drop). And as you’d expect, she improved in the 200 IM, dropping from 2:04.4 to 2:02.0. All of this goes without mentioning her 200 free improvement of over two seconds down to 1:48.9. Despite the versatility, she still projects to be a 50/100 free specialist in college, with the 100 fly being her most likely #3 event.

17. Riley Anderson (Previous Rank: #14) – West Hartford Aquatic Team – Manchester High School – Colchester, CT **Verbally committed to Duke**

Best Times:

• 50 free: 22.43
• 100 free: 49.12
• 100 fly: 52.88
• 200 free: 1:49.41
• 100 back: 54.90

Anderson has a very similar skill set to Workman, as she’s an elite sprint freestyler who also excels in the 100 back and 100 fly. Anderson is a tick slower in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 back, but sits one spot ahead of Workman in the rankings due to her 100 fly. Coming into the season with a PB of 54.68, Anderson went faster eight times in 2024-25, highlighted by her 52.88 clocking at the Speedo Sectionals in Ithaca in March. Only three swimmers in the class are sub-52, and Anderson is one of six others who have been under 53. She fits the mold of someone who will race the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly in college and be a key relay contributor when she arrives at Duke.

16. Eliza Wallace (Previous Rank: #13) – Mecklenburg Swim Association – Ardrey Kell High School – Charlotte, NC **Verbally committed to Tennessee**

Best Times:

• 100 breast: 59.36 (best in class)
• 200 breast: 2:14.02
• 50 free: 23.14
• 100 free: 50.30
• 200 free: 1:50.41
• 200 IM: 2:03.64

Wallace overtook Molly Sweeney as the fastest 100 breaststroker in the class last season, dropping three-tenths from her best time to clock 59.36 in mid-November. Wallace followed that up by going sub-1:00 two more times, placing 2nd at Winter Juniors – East (59.49) in December and then topping the field at the Best of the South meet in March (59.79). She also won a repeat NCHSAA 4A state title in February (1:00.06). She showed significant progress in the 200 breast last season, though it still remains a level below her 100-yard ability. Wallace’s best time stood at 2:15.82 for 15 months before she took it down at the North Carolina Senior Championships in February, getting down to 2:14.02—based on her splits, she has more room to drop, given she didn’t fade. The Tennessee commit didn’t drop time in any other of her listed events in her junior year, but her 50 free (23.14) is solid enough to pencil it in as her third event.

15. Elizabeth Eichbrecht (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Supernova Swim Team – West Bloomfield High School – Farmington Hills, MI **Verbally committed to Indiana**

Best Times:

• 200 free: 1:45.54
• 500 free: 4:43.53
• 100 free: 49.38
• 50 free: 23.05
• 100 fly: 53.58
• 200 IM: 2:01.74
• 1650 free: 16:47.87
• 1000 free: 9:49.50
• 100 back: 55.94

Eichbrecht leveled up in several events last year, highlighted by her 200 free time that now ranks #2 in the class. After she was featured as a “Best of the Rest” sprinter last year, she dropped from 1:47.20 to 1:45.54 in the 200 free, doing so at the Michigan Open in early February. In addition to Charlotte Crush being the only swimmer faster in the class, Eichbrecht’s time puts her within eight-tenths of the NCAA cutline (1:44.74) and would’ve been third-fastest on Indiana’s roster last season (and 2nd among returning swimmers). She also dropped more than four seconds in the 500 free to clock 4:43.53 and become the third-fastest swimmer in the class, and brought her sprint times down to 23.05 and 49.38 to make her a valuable relay asset (she also recorded 22.73/48.89 relay splits). She could also end up focusing on the 100 fly after posting a time of 53.58 in February, knocking more than six-tenths off her PB. One thing to watch for with Eichbrecht is that the majority of her best times were all set at the same meet, which can be looked at as a positive, having shown she can peak for one meet, which is crucial in college, or that she wasn’t able to recreate that level later in the season. We should probably lean towards the former, given she set best times in every free event during the long course campaign.

14. Hayden Gibson (Previous Rank: BOTR) – Razorback Aquatic Club Aquahawgs – Haas Hall Academy – Springdale, AR **Verbally committed to Arkansas**

Best Times:

• 200 back: 1:52.88
• 100 back: 53.08
• 400 IM: 4:13.78
• 200 IM: 1:59.76
• 100 fly: 54.36
• 200 fly: 1:59.89
• 200 free: 1:50.78
• 100 free: 51.57

Gibson was one of the most improved swimmers in the class last season, highlighted by her drop from 1:56.29 to 1:52.88 in the 200 back. That swim puts her comfortably under the 2025 NCAA cutline (1:53.31), is just over a second shy of scoring position (1:51.75) and ranks her #4 in the class. She also dropped nearly two seconds in the 100 back (53.08) and over a second and a half in the 100 fly (54.36), while one discipline that wasn’t in her repertoire during last year’s rankings was medley, which she exploded in last season. Gibson dropped down from 2:03.02 to 1:59.76 in the 200 IM, giving her a clear option for Day 2 of NCAAs, while in the 400 IM, after not having raced it since March 2023, she brought her best time down 10 seconds to 4:13.78 over the course of the season. The event was also the one she performed in best at the U.S. Junior Nationals in August, setting a pair of long course best times to make the ‘A’ final and place 7th (4:52.43). Given the momentum she’s showing in IM, Gibson could end up contesting both the 200 and 400 in college to go along with the 200 back. She would’ve been the fastest swimmer on Arkansas’ roster last season in the 100 back, 200 back and 200 IM, and #2 in the 400 IM.

13. Virginia Hinds (Previous Rank: #10) – All-Star Aquatics – Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School – Chevy Chase, MD  **Verbally committed to Georgia**

Best Times:

• 100 back: 52.75
• 200 back: 1:53.92
• 500 free: 4:48.49
• 200 free: 1:47.61
• 100 free: 49.35
• 50 free: 23.24
• 100 fly: 54.45
• 200 fly: 2:02.87
• 400 IM: 4:18.66

Hinds improved in the majority of her best events and expanded her repertoire in what was an impressive junior year. Her most noted improvement came in the 200 back, where she was already on the radar as a top backstroker with a best time of 1:55.95, but she got all the way down to 1:53.92 last season at Winter Juniors – East, putting her within six-tenths of the NCAA cutline. She also dropped over a tenth in the 100 back (52.75), nearly half a second in the 100 free (49.35), and added the 500 free (4:48.49) and 100 fly (54.45) to her list of top events with significant improvements. In the 200 free, although she didn’t better her best time of 1:47.61, she did produce another sub-1:48 effort by clocking 1:47.82 in late March. The 100 and 200 back will certainly be in her lineup when she gets to Georgia, but it’s up in the air if she keeps training for the 500 free or has a more sprint-oriented approach, which could be beneficial for the Bulldog relays. The 200 free and 100 back double, though not ideal, is doable. This summer, Hinds put more focus on the sprints than she did mid-distance free.

12. Brynn Lavigueur (Previous Rank: HM) – Laker Swim – Riverview High School – Sarasota, FL **Verbally committed to Texas**

Best Times:

• 100 back: 52.57
• 200 free: 1:45.82
• 100 free: 48.98
• 50 free: 22.74
• 200 back: 1:57.82
• 200 IM: 1:59.31

Lavigueur leaped to a new level last season by becoming a 22/48/1:45 freestyler, something only two other swimmers in the class can claim, while also joining the sub-53 club in the 100 back. At the FHSAA 4A Championships in November, she claimed the first two individual state titles of her high school career in the 100 back (52.57 in prelims, 52.67 in final) and 200 IM (1:59.31) while also setting best times in the 50 free (22.84) and 50 back (24.69) on relay lead-offs. She then dropped nearly two seconds off her lifetime best to win the 200 free at Winter Juniors – East one month later in 1:45.82, and also cracked the 49-second barrier for the first time in the 100 free (48.98) and chipped a tenth off her PB in the 50 free (22.74) at the same meet. Lavigueur also had a phenomenal long course season, setting best times in the 200 free (2:03.11) and 100 back (1:01.66) at U.S. Nationals, adding new PBs in the 100 free (56.18), 200 free (2:02.28), 50 back (28.37), 100 back (1:01.65) and 200 IM (2:16.34) at the Futures Championships in Ocala, and then claiming the U.S. Junior National title in the 50 back (28.42) and setting another best time in the 100 back (1:01.38) at Junior Nationals in early August. Heading to Texas next fall, Lavigueur will surely be a key relay player for the Longhorns down the line, especially with her ability in the 50 back, but the question will be how she chooses to handle having her two best events, the 200 free and 100 back, come on the same day. She’ll likely be swimming the 100 free on Day 4 of NCAAs, but that’s the only ‘lock’ right now, with the 50 free and 200 IM both options on Day 2 as well.

11. Paige Downey (Previous Rank: #16) – Gold Medal Swim Club – Gilbert, AZ **Verbally committed to Indiana**

Best Times:

• 1650 free: 16:04.45
• 1000 free: 9:36.52
• 500 free: 4:45.22
• 200 free: 1:49.16
• 400 IM: 4:16.02
• 200 fly: 1:57.56
• 100 fly: 55.18
• 200 back: 1:59.88

The newly crowned U.S. Junior National champion in the girls’ 1500 free, Downey made meaningful drops in all of her primary events last season to move up five spots in the rankings. In the mile, Downey came into 2024-25 with a PB of 16:11.21, set in December 2023, and then went faster three straight times, clocking 16:08.96 in November at the Kevin Perry Senior Invitational, 16:06.16 in December at Winter Juniors – West, and then 16:04.45 in March at the Speedo Sectionals in Austin. That swim puts her nearly five seconds under the 2025 NCAA cutline (16:09.37) and within seven seconds of scoring position (15:57.60) with another year to improve. In the 1000 free, which, as we know, is not a championship event in Division I, Downey dropped 12 seconds from her PB to go 9:36.52, a time that would’ve ranked in the top 20 last season in the NCAA. The Indiana commit also took four seconds off in the 500 free (4:45.22) and added the 200 fly (1:57.56) and 400 IM (4:16.02) as events she’s legitimately competitive in, with the 400 likely slotting in as her third event at future Big Ten and NCAA Championships.

10. Avery Klamfoth (Previous Rank: #7) – SwimMAC Carolina – Myers Park High School – Charlotte, NC **Verbally committed to Texas**

Best Times: 

• 100 breast: 1:00.43
• 200 breast: 2:11.27
• 400 IM: 4:10.90
• 200 IM: 1:57.61
• 200 fly: 2:01.27
• 100 fly: 55.51
• 1650 free: 16:45.14
• 200 free: 1:50.92
• 100 free: 50.91
• 50 free: 23.73
• 200 back: 1:58.80
• 100 back: 56.58

Klamfoth is among the best breaststrokers in the class and brings a strong medley skillset to the table. The Texas commit slides three spots in the rankings after she didn’t drop time in any of her primary events last season, hitting bests of 1:01.2/2:12.9 in the breaststrokes and 1:58.9/4:11.8 in the IMs after setting PBs of 1:00.4/2:11.2 and 1:57.6/4:10.9 in 2023-24. Klamfoth was the runner-up to fellow class of 2026 recruit Eliza Wallace for the second straight year at the NCHSAA 4A State Championships this past February in the 100 breast, while she placed 2nd to senior Nicole Zettel in the 200 IM after winning it as a sophomore. Klamfoth did come away with some new PBs in her secondary events last season, clocking 1:50.92 in the 200 free, 56.58 in the 100 back, and 1:58.80 in the 200 back at the North Carolina Senior Championships in February. Texas has had a great track record of late with female breaststrokers, and Klamfoth has the talent to thrive once she arrives in Austin. With that being said, her senior year will be crucial to getting back some momentum and returning to her best times.

9. Ava De Anda (Previous Rank: #4) – Riverside Aquatics Association – Riverside Polytechnic High School – Riverside, CA **Verbally committed to Cal**

Best Times:

• 100 free: 48.27
• 50 free: 22.44
• 200 free: 1:45.98
• 200 IM: 2:01.61
• 100 fly: 55.30
• 100 back: 56.43

De Anda is still the second-fastest 100 freestyler in the class, but didn’t seriously approach her best time in the event last season, which results in her falling five spots in the rankings. In May 2024, the Cal commit blasted her way to CIF State titles in the 100 free (48.27) and 200 free (1:45.98), and this past season, she repeated in the 100 free (48.92) and placed 4th in the 200 free (1:48.36), both of which were her fastest times in 2024-25. In the 50 free, De Anda set her lifetime best of 22.44 in December 2023, and posted her fastest time in May at 22.62. She’s got 16 career swims sub-23, showing impressive consistency, and she’ll be a key relay contributor for the Golden Bears throughout her career and a likely scorer individually in the sprint free events. At the Futures Championships in Sacramento at the end of July, although she narrowly missed her LC 50 free best time in 26.16 (26.00 from 2023), she threw down a pair of quick relay splits (25.68, 25.87) to show some good form entering her senior year.

8. Alyssa Sagle (Previous Rank: #20) – Nation’s Capital Swim Club – Battlefield High School – Gainesville, VA **Verbally committed to Virginia**

Best Times:

• 200 back: 1:51.73
• 100 back: 51.71
• 100 fly: 53.97
• 200 free: 1:48.36
• 100 free: 49.92
• 50 free: 23.22
• 200 IM: 2:02.72

It was truly a breakout season for Sagle as she vaults into the top 10 after being ranked 20th last year. The Nation’s Capital product opted to race the U.S. Open in early December rather than the Winter Junior Championships, and that paid off as she claimed victory in the 100 back in a lifetime best of 51.71, marking a massive drop from her best time entering the day of 53.17 (she was 52.48 in the prelims). She was also the runner-up in the 200 back (1:52.02) in a big best time, having lowered her PB from 1:56.04 to 1:54.84 one month earlier at the NOVA Senior Classic. Sagle’s momentum continued into the VHSL Class 6 State Championships, as she won titles in the 100 free (49.92) and 100 back (52.19), setting a best time in the former, and also hit a new PB in the 50 back (24.24) on a relay lead-off. A few weeks later at the NCSA Spring Championships, Sagle clocked another best time in the 200 back (1:51.73), ranking her #2 in the class behind Charlotte Crush and putting her under the NCAA scoring threshold (1:51.75), and she added best times in the 200 free (1:48.36) and 100 fly (53.97). This summer, the momentum hasn’t stopped for Sagle, setting long course personal bests in the 50 free (26.84), 50 back (28.35), 100 back (1:00.64) and 200 back (2:11.54) at the Futures Championships in Greensboro. The backstroke events will be her bread and butter in college, with the lead-off spot on the 200 medley relay also likely in her future at Virginia, and the 50 free, 200 IM or 100 fly could end up factoring in as an individual event option as well.

7. Sydney Schoeck (Previous Rank: HM) – CSP Tideriders – Westminster Christian Academy – Chesterfield, MO **Verbally committed to Texas**

Best Times:

• 200 back: 1:52.37
• 400 IM: 4:08.41
• 200 IM: 1:58.97
• 1650 free: 16:01.49
• 1000 free: 9:44.05
• 500 free: 4:43.10
• 100 back: 54.07
• 200 free: 1:48.09
• 100 free: 51.13
• 50 free: 23.97
• 200 fly: 2:00.97
• 100 fly: 55.19

The highest riser among swimmers who didn’t crack the top 20 last year, Schoeck’s improvement across the board was incredible in her junior year, headlined by the 200 back and 400 IM. She went from being a 1:57.50 200 backstroker at the beginning of the season to going 1:54.66 in December and then clocking 1:53.14 in the prelims and 1:52.37 in the final at the Columbia Sectionals in March. That brings her from being more than 3.5% shy of the NCAA cutline coming into the season to well under it (1:53.31) and within striking distance of scoring range (1:51.75). Schoeck swam the 400 IM five times in the 2024-25 season and was faster than her best time coming in (4:15.06) every time, following up a 4:09.17 showing in December with a 4:08.41 outing at the Columbia Sectionals to put her well under the NCAA cutline (4:09.53). Two days later, she added a third NCAA qualifying event, knocking 31 seconds off her best time in the 1650 free to clock 16:01.49, putting her within four seconds of NCAA scoring (15:57.60) and ranking her 2nd in the class. She also ranks #2 in the class in the 500 free (4:43.10), is a sub-1:59 200 IMer (1:58.97) and is respectable in the sprint freestyles. Most recently, the CSP Tideriders’ swimmer placed 11th in the 400 IM (4:43.20) at U.S. Nationals, picked up victories at the Columbia Sectionals in the 400 free (4:15.99 prelims, 4:16.26 final) and 200 IM (2:16.03), and then won the 200 back (2:11.81), placed 2nd in the 1500 free (16:28.74) and was 4th in both the 800 free (8:41.91) and 400 IM (4:43.43) at U.S. Junior Nationals to cap a phenomenal long course campaign. Headed to Texas, Schoeck could end up focusing on the 500 and 1650 free, or the 200 IM and 200 back, to go along with the 400 IM, which seems like a lock in her individual program.

6. Emerson Callis (Previous Rank: #11) – Quest Swimming – Monacan High School – Richmond, VA **Verbally committed to NC State**

Best Times:

• 400 IM: 4:06.52
• 200 IM: 1:58.82
• 200 fly: 1:55.62
• 100 fly: 53.21
• 500 free: 4:44.67
• 200 free: 1:47.48
• 100 free: 49.47
• 50 free: 22.88
• 100 back: 53.00
• 200 back: 1:56.35
• 200 breast: 2:13.08
• 100 breast: 1:03.42
• 1650 free: 16:36.06
• 1000 free: 9:47.90

Callis is competitive enough in every single event that we’ve listed them all above. That speaks volumes about the NC State commit, who is one of only five recruits in this class who have an NCAA scoring event on their resume and are under the cutline in a second. Callis dropped more than six seconds last season in the 400 IM, getting down to 4:06.52 at Winter Juniors – East to place 2nd to top class of 2027 recruit Audrey Derivaux and get well under the NCAA scoring cut-off (4:07.29) and less than two seconds back of the ‘A’ final (4:04.85). Callis also dropped nearly three seconds in the 200 fly, firing off a time of 1:55.62 at the VSI Senior Championships in early March to put her under the cutline. With her 500 free (4:44.67) and 200 IM (1:58.82) roughly on equal footing in terms of competitiveness, Callis could go either way in terms of what her third event will be, and her versatility across the board will be extremely beneficial for NC State, as they can slot her where points are needed in dual meet settings. And with 22.8/49.4/1:47.4 freestyle times, she’ll be a relay asset, boosting her value.

5. Kelsey Zhang (Previous Rank: #5) – Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics – Saratoga High School – Saratoga, CA **Verbally committed to Cal**

Best Times:

• 200 fly: 1:53.51 (best in class)
• 100 fly: 51.78
• 200 IM: 1:57.15
• 400 IM: 4:13.27
• 100 back: 53.59
• 100 breast: 1:01.34
• 200 breast: 2:14.32
• 500 free: 4:48.16
• 200 free: 1:48.38
• 100 free: 49.97
• 50 free: 23.11

The fastest 200 butterfly swimmer in the class, Zhang’s best time of 1:53.51 is still on the books from April 2024, but her season-best from 2024-25 of 1:54.16 still distances the next-fastest in the class (1:55.62) by a wide margin and lands right on what was required to earn a second swim at the 2025 NCAAs. Her PB is just six-tenths shy of what it took to make the ‘A’ final (1:52.91), and at U.S. Nationals, she placed 10th in a new LC best time of 2:10.62 to punch her ticket to the World Junior Championships. The Cal commit made improvements in the majority of her other events, including cracking 52 for the first time in the 100 fly (51.78), chipping off a tenth in the 200 IM (1:57.15), bringing her 400 IM to an elite level (4:13.27), and becoming a threat in the 100 free (49.97), 100 back (53.59) and 100 breast (1:01.34) as well. On paper, Zhang looks to have a clear-cut event schedule with the 200 IM, 100 fly and 200 fly, but we can’t look past what she can do in the other strokes, which will boost relay value and give the Cal coaches options for dual meets. Her 100 fly PB is under the NCAA cutline from 2025 (51.87) and she’s not far off in the 200 IM (1:56.69).

4. Molly Sweeney (Previous Rank: #3) – Carmel Swim Club – Carmel High School – Carmel, IN **Verbally committed to Tennessee**

Best Times:

• 200 IM: 1:54.58 (best in class)
• 200 breast: 2:07.49 (best in class)
• 100 breast: 59.47
• 400 IM: 4:12.06
• 100 fly: 52.10
• 200 fly: 1:58.93
• 200 free: 1:47.09
• 100 free: 49.76
• 50 free: 23.00
• 100 back: 55.54

Sweeney wasn’t at her absolute best this past season, but her personal bests from her sophomore campaign are so elite that she still ranks right near the top of this class. The Carmel Swim Club product was a force at Winter Juniors – East back at the end of 2023, where she set her current best times in the 200 breast (2:07.49) and 200 IM (1:54.58), but this past December, she only mustered respective times of 2:11.31 and 1:56.48. Both are still strong, especially the 200 IM, which is under the NCAA cutline, but aren’t quite on the level she showed previously. She also posted respectable times of 1:00.80 in the 100 breast and 4:15.75 in the 400 IM last season, and set new bests in the 100 fly (52.10), 200 fly (1:58.93) before landing a berth on the U.S. World Junior Championship team in the 200 IM after placing 15th at Nationals (going 2:14.15 in the prelims). Still the top 200 breaststroker and 200 IMer in the class, Sweeney would likely race both breaststrokes and the 200 IM in college, but we can’t overlook her versatility with a strong 100 fly and decent sprint free times.

3. Mena Boardman (Previous Rank: #6) – Commonwealth Swimming – Phillips Exeter Academy (NH) – Portland, OR **Verbally committed to Texas**

Best Times:

• 100 fly: 50.93
• 100 back: 52.80
• 50 free: 22.05
• 100 free: 48.71
• 200 back: 1:56.20
• 200 IM: 1:59.65
• 200 free: 1:48.02

Boardman has a formidable resume with elite abilities in sprint free, back and fly, headlined by her 100 fly time, which jumps off the page at 50-point. Last season, for example, only Alex Shackell (49.49) was sub-51 in the 100 fly among high school juniors, and going back to the high school class of 2020, the only swimmers who have been faster than Boardman’s 50.93 are Shackell, Claire Curzan (49.52), Olivia Bray (50.19), Regan Smith (50.45) and Torri Huske (50.49), with Charlotte Crush (50.00) joining Boardman in the sub-51 club this year. Boardman came out of last year with a PB of 51.62, and then after warming up with a 52.20 clocking at Winter Juniors – East, she got down to 51.32 in mid-February and then blasted the two fastest swims of her career at the Arena Senior SC Championships in March, clocking 51.11 in the prelims and then 50.93 in the final. That not only puts her in the ‘A’ final of last season’s NCAAs, but seven of the eight ‘A’ finalists are graduating before she arrives, meaning Boardman has a chance to be right near the top of the heap once she arrives. The Texas commit is also a premier sprint freestyler, having improved her best times from 22.22/49.37 at the end of last season to 22.05/48.71 one year later, making her one of the most surefire sprint relay players in the class. She’s also strong in the 100 back (52.80), and is arguably better in both fly and back over 50 yards, where she’s been 23.15 and 24.41, respectively, along with a 22.33 fly split on her resume. Her pure sprint ability was back on display at U.S. Nationals in long course, placing 4th in the 50 fly (26.23) and booking her ticket to the World Junior Championships. In college, she projects to be a 50 free, 100 fly and 100 free swimmer who is a central figure on the 200 and 400-yard relays for the Longhorns.

2. Kayla Han (Previous Rank: #2) – La Mirada Armada – La Mirada, CA **Verbally committed to Indiana**

Best Times:

• 400 IM: 4:04.44 (best in class)
• 500 free: 4:36.88 (best in class)
• 1000 free: 9:30.10 (best in class)
• 1650 free: 15:56.07 (best in class)
• 200 IM: 1:58.03
• 200 fly: 1:55.89
• 200 free: 1:46.28
• 100 fly: 54.16
• 200 breast: 2:14.97
• 200 back: 1:58.76
• 100 back: 55.91
• 100 free: 50.27
• 50 free: 23.55

After spending the 2023-24 year at Carmel, showing some improvements in the shorter events but tailing off her bests in the distance races, Han returned to La Mirada Armada this past season, and that change has been paying dividends. She improved her best times in all of her primary events, including the four in which she is the fastest in this class. Han was already the fastest swimmer in the 500, 1000, and 1650 free and the 400 IM, but leveled up, going from 4:38.12 to 4:36.88 in the 500, 9:41.05 to 9:30.10 in the 1000, 16:00.74 to 15:56.07 in the mile, and 4:06.20 to 4:04.44 in the 400 IM. That gives her two NCAA ‘A’ final events with the 500 free and 400 IM, while her 1650 time would’ve been good for 13th in March. And as you’d expect from someone who is so strong in the 400 IM, Han has versatility across all disciplines, with a 200 free time (1:46.28) that eventually slots her onto Indiana’s 800 free relay, a 200 fly time (1:55.89) that’s fourth-fastest in the class and just seven one-hundredths shy of the cutline, and her sprint free, backstroke and 100 fly times are all competitive enough that she could swim them in dual meets and score. With another year of development to come, Han is already pushing being a 30-point individual scorer at the NCAA Championships. Most recently, Han qualified for World Juniors in the 800 free and 400 IM at U.S. Nationals, and recently won Junior National titles in the 400 free and 800 free.

1. Charlotte Crush (Previous Rank: #1) – Lakeside Swim Team – Sacred Heart Academy – Louisville, KY **Verbally committed to Tennessee**

Best Times:

• 100 back: 49.46 (best in class)
• 200 back: 1:48.69 (best in class)
• 100 fly: 50.00 (best in class)
• 50 free: 21.88 (best in class)
• 100 free: 47.85 (best in class)
• 200 free: 1:44.34 (best in class)
• 200 IM: 1:56.44
• 200 fly: 1:57.67

Crush is the best recruit in the class by a wide margin and one of the best we’ve seen in recent memory, with times that are fast enough to put her in three NCAA ‘A’ finals, along with ‘B’ final-worthy times in the sprint free events and cutline PBs in the 200 free and 200 IM. Of course, Crush was already at an ultra elite level when we did our Way Too Early rankings last year, and she’s only made modest improvements in most of her events since, which is understandable given that she’s already one of the fastest swimmers ever for her age (and the fastest ever in the 100 back). The one event where she took a significant step forward last season was the 200 back, where she dropped down from 1:50.55 to 1:48.69 at Winter Juniors – East in December (also going 1:48.93 in the prelims) to rank #2 all-time in the girls’ 15-16 age group, trailing only Regan Smith (1:48.30). It would’ve also been good for 5th in the 2025 NCAA final. In the 100 back, Crush re-lowered her 15-16 NAG of 49.53 to 49.46 at Winter Juniors, a time that would’ve been 3rd at NCAAs, while she knocked 19 one-hundredths off her 100 fly best time to clock 50.00, which would’ve placed 4th at NCAAs. By the time Crush arrives at Tennessee, only Bella Sims (both backstrokes) and Leah Shackley (200 back) will still be competing in college among the swimmers who would’ve finished ahead of her across those three events at NCAAs.

All of this is to say Crush will immediately be a title contender in all three events, assuming she keeps the 100 fly/100 back double. She has a very similar skill set to Claire Curzan, who has gradually moved away from the 100 fly during her career and put more focus on freestyle. As for Crush, though the backstrokes and the 100 fly are her three best, she could also be one of the best in the NCAA in the sprint free events, owning the fastest times in the class in the 50 (21.88), 100 (47.85) and 200 free (1:44.34), all of which are the only ones in the class sub-22, sub-48 and sub-1:45. Her 50 and 100 free are fast enough to score already, but it’s more likely we’ll see those abilities utilized on Tennessee’s relays than we do individually. After she was an ‘A’ finalist at U.S. Nationals in the 100 fly (4th), 100 back (6th) and 200 back (7th) in June, setting respective long course bests of 58.09, 59.30 and 2:07.05, Crush will represent the U.S. at World Juniors this week in all three backstrokes and the 50 and 100 fly.

BONUS LOOKBACK:

Feeling nostalgic? Here’s a look back at our historic recruiting class rankings, plus our retrospectives of those classes after four NCAA seasons: