Winter Juniors ‘A’ Finalist Thi Rai Commits To Cal For 2027

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Thi Rai from Jacksonville, Florida has announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at Cal beginning in fall 2027.

“After careful consideration, I am proud and honored to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of California, Berkeley! I’m incredibly grateful to my friends and family for their unwavering support throughout this journey. To Coach Peter, Coach Jake and my coaches in Thailand, I can’t thank you enough for helping me become the athlete and person I am today. Finally, I would like to thank Coach Dave, Coach Josh and the team at Cal for this amazing opportunity, I am extremely excited for what’s to come! Go Bears!”

Rai swims for Bolles School Sharks and had a huge meet at Winter Juniors East back in December. There he swam to a lifetime best 1:55.38 to earn a 3rd place finish. He also swam a lifetime best 1:47.51 in the 200 IM for 15th. In addition to his 200 breast ‘A’ final, he also made the ‘A’ final in the 100 breast with a 53.54 for 5th.

Rai is currently in his junior year at Bolles School. He notably swam to a state title in the 100 breast with a 53.44 back in November at the FHSAA Class 1A State Championships. He also split a 24.59 on the breaststroke leg for Bolles’ 200 medley relay in prelims.

Rai’s Best SCY Times Are:

• 100 breast: 53.44
• 200 breast: 1:55.38

The Cal men captured the 2026 ACC title last month with 1154 points, finishing ahead of 2nd place Stanford who had 1076 points. Leading the way for Cal was Ryan Erisman who had 82 pointws including a 2nd place finish in the 400 IM. Also leading the way was Yamato Okadome who swept the breaststroke events with a 50.32 in the 100 and a 1:48.87 in the 200 breast.

Based on his best times, Rai has the potential to make an immediate impact at the conference level as his best time in the 200 breast would have made the ACC ‘C’ final. Okadome and teammate Hank Rivers (5th, 1:52.16) were the only finalists in the event for the Golden Bears.

Rai will arrive next fall as a member of the class of 2031 along with David Jackson. Jackson primarily specializes in backstroke with a 46.39 100 back and a 1:41.28 200 back.

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