NCAA recruiting churns on, and so do our yearly recruit rankings. We’ve already ranked out the highest recruits within the present highschool sophomore and junior lessons, however now it’s time to revisit our recruiting ranks of the graduating seniors.
As recruiting lessons get nearer to precise NCAA competitors, we begin to weigh sure elements extra closely: NCAA scoring occasions change into extra vital, and we are inclined to worth one or two standout occasions a bit extra closely (in comparison with a variety of simply first rate occasions) than we might for a highschool sophomore who has extra time to develop throughout the board. Having already ranked this class a couple of yr in the past, we additionally get a clearer image of momentum and trajectory: which recruits are persevering with to drop time by their senior seasons, and which have stagnated.
You may look again on our unique ranks for this class under, however do do not forget that these ranks are merely a snapshot in time – we didn’t have a working crystal ball then, nor can we now:
THIS CLASS
- Nonetheless very restricted dash again/fly depth exterior of the highest 20
- A really top-heavy class, particularly amongst sprinters
- Many standout breaststrokers
- Loads of high swimmers have been damage by a scarcity of senior yr enchancment
The general energy of the highschool class of 2024 took a success when Daniel Diehl graduated highschool early to hitch NC State early, however there’s nonetheless loads of expertise on this class. After all, the headliner is Kaii Winkler, who is likely one of the best dash recruits in historical past. Despite the fact that he obtained damage final summer season, he nonetheless managed to enhance as a senior, making a fair higher case to get ranked as our No. 1 total recruit.
Winkler wasn’t the one sprinter to see an enormous surge this season — others corresponding to Lucca Battaglini, Johnny Crush, Spencer Nicholas, and Jacob Johnson additionally made their marks. After there have been solely three 46-point 100 flyers and backstrokers final yr, there are actually three swimmers within the class able to going 45 within the former occasion and two within the latter. On the gap finish, swimmers like Luke Whitlock and Gregg Enoch made huge strikes. Nevertheless, the difficulty of time dropoff continues to be very a lot an actual challenge, as there have been round 14-15 apparent picks for the highest 20 whereas deciding the rankings for everybody else felt like splitting hairs.
One occasion that obtained significantly stronger this yr was dash breaststroke. Solely 4 52-point breaststrokers existed in final yr’s season class, whereas six exist on this class. However the lack of depth within the 200 breast nonetheless exists, as solely 4 swimmers on this class have been below the 1:55 barrier.
TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2024
**Not an NCAA occasion.
A number of different elements that weigh closely in our rankings:
- Relay Worth – Relay factors depend double in faculty swimming, and any program wants a robust steady of high quality sprinters to fill out all 5 relays with stars. Clearly, a particular distance swimmer can simply rank forward of an excellent 100 freestyler, however faculty swimming typically values a dash freestyler over a distance swimmer, all different elements being equal.
- Enhancements – Precise occasions carry probably the most weight by a longshot. However we additionally regulate a swimmer’s trajectory, particularly in deciding between two swimmers with comparatively even occasions.
- Brief Course over Lengthy Course – whereas each membership and each swimmer may have a unique stability of focus between quick course and lengthy course swimming, the NCAA competes in brief course yards, and that’s going to be the primary issue thought of in these rankings. Lengthy course occasions are one other information level for consideration, however we primarily view them by the lens of what an enormous lengthy course swim might imply for an athlete’s future in brief course.
- NCAA scoring potential – NCAAs are the large present for faculty groups, so we’ve weighted NCAA scoring potential very extremely. Swimmers who have already got NCAA scoring occasions wind up largely filling out the highest our of rankings. Since faculty athletic administrators – and by extension coaches – additionally place excessive worth on convention championships, scoring potential at convention meets can be a consider our rankings.
- Relative depth within the NCAA and recruiting class – a wealth of elite depth nationwide in a single stroke self-discipline makes an enormous distinction in what occasions are thought of extra useful in that occasion. Occasions rise at completely different charges within the NCAA, however when one occasion will get extraordinarily deep and quick on the faculty degree, it makes highschool prospects in these occasions rather less useful, comparatively, with a number of different veteran choices. In the identical approach, a recruiting class stacked with swimmers in butterfly, for instance, would make every butterflyer rather less sought-after available in the market, with a number of different recruiting choices capable of present comparable manufacturing.
After all, there’s no strategy to predict the long run, and probably the most concrete information we’ve to go on are chilly, arduous occasions. These rankings under no circumstances imply that each one of those 20 swimmers shall be NCAA standouts, they usually definitely don’t imply that no swimmer left off this listing will make huge contributions on the NCAA degree.
Disclaimer: there are a lot of highschool seniors within the nation, and no actually good, full, 100% correct itemizing of all of them. If you happen to don’t see your favourite swimmer on the listing, be at liberty to politely level them out within the feedback. There’s an opportunity that we disagree along with your evaluation of their spot within the high 20, and as long as it’s finished civilly, there’s no drawback with variations of opinions. There’s additionally an opportunity that we’ve merely missed a no brainer (we’ve taken each precaution to keep away from that), and if that occurs, we wish to be certain that we right it.
TOP 20 SWIMMERS FROM THE CLASS OF 2024
*We’re noting the place athletes have publicly verbally dedicated. Whereas most of those athletes have signed NLIs with their faculties, we are able to’t all the time confirm who has bodily signed on the dotted line and who hasn’t – for that purpose, the verbiage under continues to be “verbally dedicated,” because it was in our junior ranks final yr.
1. Kaii Winkler – Eagle Aquatics – home-schooled – Miami, FL **Verbally dedicated to NC State** (Earlier Rank: #1 junior/#3 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 19.44
- 100 free: 41.96 (greatest in school)
- 200 free: 1:32.68 (greatest in school)
- 500 free: 4:23.85
- 100 fly: 45.98
- 100 again: 47.69
- 200 again: 1:45.91
Winkler’s 2023 summer season was hampered by fractures in his left wrist and proper elbow, however he nonetheless stays far and away the highest recruit of the 2024 highschool class. He didn’t enhance within the 50 and 100 free however stays second in his class for the previous occasion and on the high within the latter, with that 41.96 100 free rating #4 all-time amongst all excessive schoolers and being worthy sufficient to qualify for NCAAs. However what actually solidified Winkler’s case to remain on the high have been his drops within the 200 free and 100 fly regardless of stagnancies within the 50 and 100 free. Within the 200 free, he improved from 1:33.28 to 1:32.68, breaking the Nationwide Excessive Faculty report and gaining yet one more NCAA-qualification-worthy occasion. He additionally dropped practically a second from a greatest time of 46.94 to 45.98 within the 100 fly, rating third within the class. On the third day of NCAAs, Winkler may have the choice to decide on between these two aforementioned occasions.
After practically a yr of being absolutely wholesome, search for Winkler to wreak havoc each within the lengthy course pool this summer season and as a freshman at NC State within the fall. Going 41/1:32 within the freestyle occasions as a excessive schooler is one thing that just one different recruit (Maximus Williamson) has finished, so it’s clear that he’s in rarefied air that no different recruit within the class will be capable to match.
2. Cooper Lucas – Lakeside Aquatic Membership – Keller Excessive Faculty – Keller, TX **Verbally dedicated to Texas** (Earlier Rank: #3 junior/#2 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 400 IM: 3:41.15 (greatest in school)
- 200 IM: 1:43.88
- 100 free: 43.52
- 200 free: 1:34.69
- 500 free: 4:14.53
- 100 breast: 54.18
- 200 breast: 1:56.32
- 100 fly: 47.66
- 200 fly: 1:43.44
Lucas had a considerably stagnant senior season, failing to get inside half a second of his greatest occasions within the 400 IM, 200 free, and 500 free. Nevertheless, as the one swimmer on this class with each a greatest time worthy of scoring at NCAAs (the 400 IM) and one other NCAA qualification-worthy occasion (the five hundred free), it’s arduous to maneuver him down. As well as, he’s simply an all-around high swimmer on this class—along with holding the top-ranked 400 IM, he’s additionally ranked second by a hair within the 500 free, third within the 200 free, third within the 200 IM, and and fourth within the 200 fly. His skillset as an IMer and mid-distance freestyler/butterflyer makes him the right swimmer to develop below Bob Bowman at Texas, and the truth that he’s already this quick out of school solely additional helps his case.
It does assist that Lucas had some huge enhancements within the 200 IM, enhancing over a second from a greatest time of 1:44.89 to a time of 1:43.88. The five hundred free continues to be far and away a greater occasion for him, however it is going to be fascinating to see if he leans in the direction of doing extra distance in faculty versus turning into a full IM specialist.
3. Lucca Battaglini – East Carolina Aquatics – Durham Faculty of the Arts – Durham, NC **Verbally dedicated to Cal** (Earlier Rank: #6 junior/#5 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 19.04 (greatest in school)
- 100 free: 42.60
- 100 fly: 46.04
- 100 again: 46.55
- 200 free: 1:36.48
Rating the recruits named No. 2 by 6 felt like splitting hairs, however we finally went with Battaglini on the three-slot due to his huge breakout senior season that turned him into the second-best sprinter on this class. Significantly, his 50 free time of 19.04 holds numerous weight. Not solely is that point is worthy of qualifying for NCAAs, however it additionally places him in rarified territory, as solely Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Hoffer—arguably the best NCAA sprinter ever and the best dash prospect ever—have been quicker than him as excessive schoolers. As well as, this time additionally makes him extraordinarily useful for relays, as Cal is basically assured an 18-point relay swimmer straight out of highschool.
Battaglini additionally noticed main improvement within the 100-yard occasions. His 100 free time improved from a 43.34 to a 42.60, making him the second-fastest 100 freestyler within the class behind Winkler. He additionally dropped 0.9 within the 100 fly to rank fourth within the class. He could not be capable to make direct NCAA impression apart in these two occasions but, however he’ll be capable to make relay impression in a number of strokes and distances. And as soon as once more, that fifty free time propels him significantly, particularly in senior rankings the place being high heavy is extra vital than ever.
4. Adriano Arioti – Rockville Montgomery Swim Membership – Georgetown Day Faculty – Potomac, MD **Verbally dedicated to Harvard** (Earlier Rank: #7 junior/#19 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 200 again: 1:40.55
- 100 again: 46.97
- 200 fly: 1:42.94
- 100 fly: 46.63
- 200 IM: 1:43.58
- 400 IM: 3:49.49
- 200 free: 1:37.27
- 500 free: 4:19.75
It was very tough to determine between Arioti and Hitchcock, however we finally put Arioti in entrance due to more moderen enhancements and larger aptitude within the dash occasions. The Harvard commit had the best rise out of all of the recruits ranked high 20 on three cases, having dropped half a second in his 200 fly, over a second in his 200 again, and a whopping 1.93 seconds in his 200 IM. He doesn’t really *lead* his class in any occasion, however is ranked second by a slim margin within the 200 again, 200 IM, and 200 fly, with occasions both able to qualifying for NCAAs (200 again) or inside 1% of the NCAA cutline (200 fly and 200 IM). As well as, it additionally helps that he’s one among eight sub-4:20 500 freestylers within the class, in addition to the seventh-fastest 100 butterflyer.
Arioti’s one weak point is that his greatest occasions fall both on day two or day 4 of NCAAs. So until he desires to tackle a 200 fly/200 again double, he’ll should get higher on the sprints.
5. Drew Hitchcock – Baylor Swim Membership – Baylor Faculty – Chattanooga, TN **Verbally dedicated to Georgia** (Earlier Rank: #4 junior/#4 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 200 IM: 1:43.48 (greatest in school)
- 400 IM: 3:41.81
- 200 fly: 1:43.26
- 100 fly: 47.13
- 100 free: 44.00
- 200 free: 1:36.15
- 500 free: 4:22.00
- 100 again: 47.49
- 200 again: 1:44.04
- 200 breast: 1:59.66
Like Lucas, Hitchcock didn’t enhance in any of his main occasions (although he did come comparatively shut at Winter Juniors this previous winter) other than the 200 IM, however he did drop 1.7 seconds to change into the category’s high swimmer within the occasion. As well as, he stays the category’s second-fastest swimmer within the 400 IM and the third-fastest within the 200 fly, with an NCAA scoring-worthy time within the former occasion. Having the ability to make an instantaneous impression at NCAAs single-handedly retains him on the high of his listing, and he’s solely bolstered by an array of different sturdy occasions too.
Final summer season, Hitchcock additionally gained useful expertise on the worldwide stage, ending sixth within the 200 fly and seventh within the 400 IM on the 2023 World Junior Championships.
6. Spencer Nicholas – Nashville Aquatic Membership – Martin Luther King Excessive Faculty – Nashville, TN **Verbally dedicated to Virginia** (Earlier Rank: #12 junior/#14 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 100 fly: 45.08 (greatest in school)
- 50 free: 19.66
- 100 free: 43.37
- 100 again: 46.58
- 100 breast: 54.29
- 200 IM: 1:47.27
Virginia is getting a ton of hype for its 2025 recruiting class headlined by Thomas Heilman and Maximus Williamson, however the momentum begins with 2024 recruits like Nicholas. His argument for being on this listing final yr stemmed from his all-around sprinting expertise, however this yr, he actually made his 100 fly time stand out. In a single season, his greatest time improved from a 46.74 to a forty five.05, and he’s now simply 0.06 seconds from scoring territory. Having a 45-point 100 fly off a flat begin additionally means he’s most likely able to splitting 44 on a relay, one thing that none of the particular Virginia swimmers have been able to doing lately.
Nicholas additionally noticed first rate drops within the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 again. His 100 free used to a “black sheep” kind of weak occasion on his resume, however now it slots proper in with the remainder of his occasions after he dropped from a time of 46.18 to 43.37.
7. Jacob Johnson – Suburban Seahawks Membership – Springfield Excessive Faculty – Springfield, PA **Verbally dedicated to Minnesota** (Earlier rank: N/A)
Finest Instances:
- 100 fly: 45.65
- 200 fly: 1:42.49 (greatest in school)
- 50 free: 20.06
- 100 free: 44.04
Johnson’s occasion repertoire is comparatively restricted in comparison with the remainder of his classmates, however there aren’t many swimmers on this class who’ve the identical all-around prowess as him in a singular stroke. After not showing in our rankings as a junior and sophomore, Johnson seemingly got here out of nowhere to change into the quickest 200 flyer and second-fastest 100 flyer on this class, along with his greatest time within the latter occasion falling below the NCAA reduce line. In a single season, he improved practically 4 seconds from a time of 1:46.18 to 1:42.29 within the 200 fly, after which from a 47.51 to a forty five.65 within the 100 fly. His dash free occasions aren’t elite in comparison with the highest freestylers on this class, however they’re nonetheless promising and can convey him first rate relay worth on a staff like Minnesota.
As an incoming freshman, Johnson has an opportunity to change into the quickest butterflier in Minnesota historical past. His 200 fly greatest time is simply 0.02 seconds away from Kaiser Neverman‘s staff report, and he’s not far off Davide Harabagiu‘s 100 fly staff report of 45.16 both.
8. David King – Cavalier Aquatics – Albemarle Excessive Faculty – Crozet, VA **Verbally dedicated to Virginia** (Earlier Rank: #8 junior)
Finest Instances:
- 200 again: 1:40.52 (greatest in school)
- 100 again: 46.76
- 200 free: 1:34.24
- 500 free: 4:17.02
- 1000 free: 9:07.64
- 1650 free: 15:02.76
- 200 IM: 1:46.22
- 400 IM: 3:48.56
Final yr once we ranked King, we known as him a distance freestyler who occurred to be good at backstroke. Now, it’s the opposite approach round, as he’s risen to change into the highest 200 backstroker within the class after dropping two seconds within the occasion. Now, he’s able to qualifying for NCAAs headed into faculty. He’s additionally improved in each the 200 and 500 free however not the 1650 free, indicating that he’s veering on the mid-distance trajectory. After enhancing from 1:36.6 to 1:34.2 within the 200 free and from 4:21.2 to 4:17.0 within the 500 free, he’s now the category’s third-fastest swimmer within the former occasion and the fourth-fastest within the latter.
It’s excellent that King’s greatest occasions appear to be the five hundred free, 200 free, and 200 again, that means that he can swim 0ne occasion on every day of NCAAs. It additionally doesn’t damage that he’s developed a 46-point 100 again, that means that he might doubtlessly be helpful on dash relays as properly.
9. Luke Whitlock – Fishers Space Swimming Tigers – Noblesville Excessive Faculty – Noblesville, IN **Verbally dedicated to Florida** (Earlier Rank:#20 junior)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 14:50.37 (greatest in school)
- 1000 free: 8:56.16 (greatest in school)
- 500 free: 4:15.76
- 200 free: 1:37.17
- 400 IM: 3:48.10
Whitlock was the highest-rising recruit throughout the high 20, shifting up 11 spots within the span of a yr. Loads of that has to do along with his 11-second drop within the 1650 free, which not solely makes him the one swimmer within the class to be below quarter-hour, but in addition the quickest swimmer within the class by practically ten seconds. He’s now able to qualifying for NCAAs within the mile, and has change into far and away the most effective distance swimmer within the class. As well as, he additionally dropped over 9 seconds within the 1000 free to guide the category in that occasion as properly.
As well as, Whitlock can be ranked third within the 500 free, the place he’s lower than a second off NCAA qualification. He doesn’t actually have a 3rd occasion on the extent of his 500 or 1650 free, however his energy and dominance in these two occasions alone is sufficient to hold him within the high ten.
10. Johnny Crush – Lakeside Swim Crew (KY) – Saint Xavier Excessive Faculty – Louisville, KY **Verbally dedicated to Military West Level** (Earlier Rank: #9 junior/BOTR sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 100 again: 45.56 (greatest in school)
- 200 again: 1:42.94
- 50 free: 19.99
- 100 free: 42.70
- 200 free: 1:34.99
- 100 fly: 47.00
- 200 fly: 1:46.76
Crush and Peck have practically an identical backstroke occasions, however Crush took the sting right here for being stronger each the 100 and 200 free. Final yr, the Military West Level commit obtained a excessive rating for his standout 100 backstroke time, and that hasn’t modified this yr. Now, he’s the highest-ranked 100 backstroker within the class, with a time only a few tenths off of NCAA scoring territory. He additionally dropped over a second within the 200 again to change into the sixth-ranked swimmer within the class for the occasion.
Apart from backstroke, Crush can be a robust dash freestyler, which is an enormous purpose why he’s within the high ten. He’s simply one among 4 19/42-point sprinters within the class, and simply one among two swimmers who can go sub-20, sub-43, and sub-1:35. As well as, he stays the highest-ranked non-Ivy League mid-major swimmer ever in SwimSwam’s rating historical past.
11. Kyle Peck – Rappahannock Y Swim Crew – Chancellor Excessive Faculty – Fredricksburg, VA **Verbally dedicated to Texas** (Earlier Rank: #10 junior/#9 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 100 again: 45.68
- 200 again: 1:42.71
- 100 fly: 46.99
- 200 fly: 1:45.11
- 50 free: 19.74
- 100 free: 43.66
Peck is a really comparable kind of swimmer to Crush, however simply with barely quicker butterfly occasions and slower 100 and 200 free occasions. He didn’t enhance a lot in both of his greatest 200-yard occasions however noticed jumps within the shorter distances, which features a 1.4-second drop within the 100 again that places him simply exterior of NCAA qualification territory. His progressions within the 100 again in addition to the 50/100 free appear to point that he’s creating right into a dash again/free specialist slightly than a again/fly specialist like he appeared to be final yr, however his occasions in all three strokes are nonetheless spectacular.
12. Gregg Enoch – Carmel Swim Membership – Carmel Excessive Faculty – Carmel, IN **Verbally dedicated to Louisville** (Earlier Rank: #14 junior/#18 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 500 free: 4:14.36 (greatest in school)
- 200 free: 1:34.33
- 200 IM: 1:44.37
- 400 IM: 3:44.80
- 200 fly: 1:44.56
Enoch’s greatest 5 occasions proceed to be what they have been final yr, and he improved in all of them over the course of a season. His development was particularly evident within the 500 free, the place he dropped from a time of 4:19.44 to 4:14.36 to change into the category’s main swimmer and fall into NCAA qualification territory. He additionally improved 5.8 seconds within the 400 IM, rating because the fifth-fastest swimmer within the class for the occasion. Within the 200s, he’s additionally a formidable swimmer, rating high ten for his class within the IM, fly, and free.
Final yr, we talked about that Enoch’s solely drawback was that his two greatest occasions, the five hundred free and 200 IM, fall on the identical day at NCAAs. The five hundred free nonetheless stays his far and approach greatest occasion, however now he has sufficient different good occasions on his resume and received’t should swim the 200 IM to have a profitable NCAAs.
13. Jake Wang – Suburban Seahawks Membership – Conestoga Excessive Faculty – Berwyn, PA **Verbally dedicated to Yale** (Earlier Rank: N/A)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 52.36 (greatest in school)
- 200 breast: 1:56.26
- 50 free: 19.93
- 100 free: 43.39
- 200 free: 1:37.89
- 200 IM: 1:44.20
The opposite high 20 swimmer who didn’t seem in any of our earlier rankings is Wang, who made his declare to fame by enhancing from a greatest 100 breast time of 53.92 to 52.36. He now’s the one swimmer within the class to be inside 1% of the NCAA qualification time for the occasion.
Though Wang’s 200 breast time isn’t as sturdy as among the different 52-point breaststrokers, what retains him at this rating is the truth that he’s not a one-trick pony. It’s spectacular to go 19.9 and 43.3 within the freestylers along with a 1:44.2 200 IM as somebody who’s seemingly a 100 breaststroker, which can give him loads of choices to select from in relation to swimming on day two and day 4 of NCAAs.
14. Jake Eccleston – Fort Collins Space Swim Crew – Windsor Excessive Faculty – Severance, CO **Verbally dedicated to Louisville** (Earlier Rank: #13 junior)
Finest Instances:
- 200 breast: 1:52.95 (greatest in school)
- 100 breast: 52.74
- 200 IM: 1:46.08
- 400 IM: 3:47.12
Because the far and away high 200 breaststroker (and the one 200 breaststroker to go sub-1:53) and a 52-point 100 breaststroker, Eccleston is clearly the most effective all-around breaststroker in his class. He dropped over a second in his 200 breast and from a time of 53.36 to 52.74 within the 100 breast, markedly enhancing in each of these occasions. And though he hasn’t dropped in both of the IMs, his occasions in each occasions are nonetheless sturdy sufficient to stay listed, and the 200 IM shall be an excellent third occasion for him to race at NCAAs.
15. Michael Hochwalt – Spokane Waves Aquatic Crew – Mt. Spokane Excessive Faculty – Colbert, WA **Verbally dedicated to Arizona State** (Earlier Rank: BOTR junior/BOTR sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 400 IM: 3:42.88
- 200 IM: 1:47.06
- 500 free: 4:24.53
- 1650 free: 15:05.76
- 200 again: 1:44.51
- 200 breast: 1:58.71
- 200 fly: 1:45.21
After hovering within the “better of the remaining” IM class for 2 years, Hochwalt has lastly risen as much as change into a high 20 recruit. This is because of his enhancements within the 400 IM, as he dropped over 5 seconds from a private greatest of three:48.07 to a 3:42.88, which now makes him the third-fastest 400 IMer within the class, one among three swimmers to be below the NCAA cutline within the occasion, and one among 10 swimmers within the class with an occasion able to 2024 NCAA qualification. He additionally noticed a drastic drop from 15:31.12 to fifteen:05.76 within the 1650 free, rating seventh within the class for that occasion. As well as, he has formidable occasions within the 200 IM, 200 again, and 200 fly, and may decide any a kind of occasions to proceed creating in. Contemplating how good he’s on the 400 IM and 1650 free, it appears like he ought to have a 500 free time quicker than 4:24, however he additionally didn’t swim the occasion on the meet the place he set his 400 IM and 1650 free greatest (the Washington State champs). Due to this, his development within the 500 free also needs to be price maintaining a tally of (it appears like he’s completely able to going sub-4:20).
16. Joshua Chen – Texas Ford Aquatics – Ames Senior Excessive Faculty – Ames, Iowa **Verbally dedicated to Harvard** (Earlier Rank: BOTR junior/#16 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 52.59
- 200 breast: 1:53.71
Chen makes his approach again into the highest 20 after a standout senior season, the place he improved from a time of 54.23 to 52.59 within the 100 breast, after which practically 4 seconds from 1:57.23 to 1:53.71 within the 200 breast. Though he’s not sturdy in every other occasions, his breaststroke occasions carry numerous weight, as he’s the third-fastest on this class for the 100 and the second-fastest for the 200 breast — being arguably the second-best total breaststroker behind Eccleston. One other issue that helps Chen’s case is his worldwide expertise. He not too long ago received gold within the 100 breast on the 2023 World Junior championship, exhibiting that he has expertise and is able to acting on the most important stage, which shall be very useful come time for NCAAs if he qualifies.
17. Jacob Wimberly – Texas Ford Aquatics – Prosper Excessive Faculty – Prosper, TX **Verbally dedicated to Texas A&M** (Earlier Rank: #5 junior/BOTR sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 19.89
- 100 free: 43.44
- 200 free: 1:34.00
- 100 fly: 46.26
- 200 fly: 1:45.11
- 100 again: 47.67
- 200 again: 1:43.82
- 200 IM: 1:44.08
- 400 IM: 3:51.05
Wimberly’s occasions don’t maintain up the way in which they used to, just because he didn’t enhance in a yr the place a lot of his different classmates noticed a meteoric rise within the dash occasions. Nevertheless, his resume continues to be too good to go away him off the highest 20, as he nonetheless holds the category’s second-fastest time within the 200 free, the fourth-fastest time within the 200 IM, and the fifth-fastest time within the 100 again. He’s additionally going to a program that has developed versatile sprinters like him (corresponding to Connor Foote), a lot like Lucas, it looks like there’s nothing to fret about when it comes high him not dropping time as a senior. As well as, it’s vital to notice that Wimberly didn’t swim at Winter Juniors final summer season, that means that he could not have had a possibility to get an enormous yards taper meet this season.
18. Matt Marsteiner – New Wave Swim Crew – Leesville Highway Excessive Faculty – Raleigh, NC **Verbally dedicated to NC State** (Earlier Rank: #17 junior/#12 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 15:00.38
- 1000 free: 8:57.37
- 500 free: 4:19.80
- 200 free: 1:36.65
- 200 fly: 1:44.25
- 400 IM: 3:47.51
Marsteiner stays one of many high distance swimmers listed on this article, recording the second-fastest 1650 free and 1000 free occasions out of anybody on this class. As well as, he additionally dipped below the 4:20 barrier within the 500 free for the primary time in his profession. However similar to final yr, what units him aside from different distance swimmers on this class is his 200 fly time, which he improved over a second from 1:45.29 to 1:44.25 this yr. On this occasion, he ranks fourth within the class (simply behind Arioti, Hitchcock, and Lucas), elevating his profile to be greater than only a distance specialist. His solely challenge is that the 1650 free and 200 fly fall on the identical day at NCAAs, which implies he’ll most likely have to decide on between the 2 occasions.
19. Quin Seider – Ojai Heatwaves – Nordhoff Excessive Faculty – Temple, AZ **Verbally dedicated to Arizona State** (Earlier Rank: N/A)
Finest Instances:
- 50 FR: 19.78
- 100 FR: 43.03
- 200 FR: 1:34.97
Seider, Dilger, and Gattnar are three very comparable swimmers time-wise, however what pushed the Arizona State commit into the highest 20 over the opposite two swimmers was his significantly quicker 200 free time than the opposite two. There are many 19-high and 43-low dash freestylers on this class, however not a lot of them even have a sub-1:35 200 free like Seider does. Actually, he is only one out of seven swimmers within the class to go sub-1:35 within the 200 free.
After not showing in rankings as a sophomore or junior, Seider has taken an enormous leap this yr, enhancing from 20.34 to 19.78 within the 50 free, from 44.44 to 43.04 within the 100 free, and from 1:38.81 to 1:34.97. Now, he’s a robust three-distance freestyler who will convey immense relay worth to Herbie Behm‘s squad.
20. Cooper McDonald – Dynamo Swim Membership – Rivers Academy – Alpharetta, GA **Verbally dedicated to Indiana** (Earlier Rank: BOTR junior)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 15:14.31
- 500 free: 4:17.99
- 200 free: 1:34.82
- 200 again: 1:44.23
- 200 IM: 1:46.33
Cooper McDonald is the youthful brother of NCAA runner-up and new Indiana switch Owen McDonald, however he brings worth to the Hoosiers of his personal as properly. The senior IU commit comes into faculty with the fifth-fastest 200 and 500 freestyles within the class, and likewise has sturdy occasions within the 200 IM and 200 again. Going 1:34/4:17 within the mid-distance freestyles whereas being sturdy in so many different occasions just isn’t a straightforward feat, and makes him an especially versatile asset like his brother.
Honorable Mentions
Devin Dilger – OLY Swimming – De La Salle Collegiate Excessive Faculty – Macomb, MI **Verbally dedicated to Florida** (Earlier Rank: BOTR junior/BOTR sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 19.69
- 100 free: 42.72
- 200 free: 1:37.15
- 100 fly: 47.20
Dilger is one among 4 swimmers on this class to go sub-20 within the 50 free and sub-43 within the 100 free, the sixth-fastest 50 freestyler, and the fourth-fastest 100 freestyler within the class. His weaker secondary occasions (in comparison with Gattnar and Dilger) saved him out of the highest 20, however it doesn’t damage for the Gators to have one other sturdy blue-chip dash recruit popping out of highschool. He does appear to be veering towards the 100 fly as a 3rd occasion although, as he didn’t enhance within the 200 free this season.
Marre Gattnar – North Bay Aquatics – Tamalpais Excessive Faculty – Mill Valley, CA **Verbally dedicated to Harvard** (Earlier Rank: N/A – reclassified from 2023)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 19.53
- 100 free: 43.06
- 200 free: 1:35.60
- 100 again: 46.95
- 200 again: 1:46.22
- 100 fly: 47.08
Out of all of the swimmers on this class, Gattnar was most likely the closest to creating it into the highest 20. He’s sturdy within the 50/100/200 free, being simply 0.06 seconds away from making the 19/42 membership. As well as, he’s additionally sturdy in each the 100 again and 100 fly and shall be helpful on each freestyle and medley relays. Nevertheless, other than the 50 free the place he’s ranked fourth within the class, he doesn’t have every other occasions the place he’s amongst among the finest in his class. However both approach, his drops in time (particularly an over three-second drop within the 200 free) to finish up on the “honorable mentions” listing after not showing in junior and sophomore rankings continues to be unimaginable.
Brady Johnson – FMC Aquatic Membership – West Chicago Group Excessive Faculty – West Chicago, IL **Verbally dedicated to Arizona State** (Earlier Rank: N/A junior/BOTR sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 20.24
- 100 free: 43.15
- 100 again: 46.65
- 200 again: 1:42.69
- 100 breast: 53.39
Johnson is the third Arizona State recruit talked about on this article to see an enormous emergence this yr, having a development spearheaded by dipping below 45 within the 100 free, below 48 within the 100 again, and below 1:47 within the 200 again for the primary time in his profession. He’s now a proficient multi-distance swimmer in each freestyle and backstroke, rating amongst the highest ten in his class for each backstroke occasions. Having a robust dash breaststroke time additionally bolsters his resume and highlights his versatility, contemplating that the majority different sturdy breaststrokers aren’t pretty much as good as him in one other stroke.
Landon D’Ariano – Germantown Academy Aquatic Membership – Germantown Academy – West Chester, PA **Verbally dedicated to Texas** (Earlier Rank: #19 junior/#18 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 200 IM: 1:46.29
- 400 IM: 3:44.36
- 200 fly: 1:45.05
- 200 again: 1:46.06
- 200 breast: 1:59.98
D’Ariano did enhance from his junior season, however his enhancements have been incremental to the purpose the place different swimmers have been simply capable of push him out of the highest 20. He dropped 0.4 seconds within the 400 IM and stays the fourth-fastest swimmer within the class for the occasion, and he additionally improved from 1:45.85 to 1:45.05 within the 200 fly — arguably his second-best occasion. His largest drop got here within the 200 IM although, the place he went from a greatest time of 1:47.13 to 1:46.29. Nevertheless, he doesn’t rank as excessive in that occasion as he does within the longer IM race.
Nick Mahabir – Coronado Swim Affiliation Crew Elite – San Diego, CA **Verbally dedicated to Cal** (Earlier Rank: HM junior/HM sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 55.13
- 200 breast: 2:01.09
- 100 LCM breast: 59.96
- 200 LCM breast: 2:11.87
For the third yr in a row, we’re conserving Mahabir within the honorable mentions simply due to how good he’s in lengthy course, however he hasn’t race quick course yards in any respect this season and we do not know the place his capabilities are at within the small pool. Nevertheless, not highlighting a swimmer who’s enhancing in lengthy course yearly and is kind of actually simply four-tenths away from an Olympic qualification time within the 100 breast simply feels extraordinarily foolish.
Daniel Li – Rose Bowl Aquatics – San Marino Excessive Faculty – San Marino, CA **Verbally dedicated to Stanford** (Earlier Rank: #11 junior/#13 sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 52.43
- 200 breast: 1:55.08
- 200 IM: 1:46.29
- 100 free: 44.98
- 200 free: 1:36.85
Li hasn’t improved in any of his major occasions except the 200 IM, the place he dropped over a second from a private better of 1:47.60 to 1:46.29. He additionally noticed some development within the 200 free, dropping over a second. Nevertheless, his breaststroke occasions from final yr are what retains him right here. He’s nonetheless the second-fastest 100 breaststroker in his class, though his time doesn’t stand out in the identical approach because it did as a junior. He’s additionally obtained the fourth-fastest 200 breast time within the class, bolstering his repute as a robust all-around breaststroker.
Sam Lorenz – Schroeder YMCA Swim Crew – Homestead Excessive Faculty – Theinsville, WI **Verbally dedicated to Wisconsin** (Earlier Rank: HM junior/BOTR sophomore)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 20.12
- 100 again: 46.55
- 200 again: 1:42.85
Lorenz doesn’t actually have occasions that advantage a high 20 rating, however his backstroke occasions are considerably higher than these within the “better of the remaining ” class. He improved a couple of tenths within the 100 again and dropped over a second within the 200 again, and is now one of many seven swimmers within the class with a sub-47 100 again and a sub-1:42 200 again. As well as, he nonetheless stays the third-fastest swimmer within the class for the 100 again. He solely dropped 0.09 seconds within the 50 free, it however nonetheless stays a promising third occasion for him.
Finest Of The Relaxation
Some extra names that got here up in our analysis. For the needs of house, we received’t embrace each high occasion for these athletes, however only a few of their standouts. Verbal commitments are listed the place they’ve been reported. Every of those athletes continues to be an especially high-level recruit:
Dash Free:
Distance Free:
Again:
Fly:
Breast:
IM:
BONUS LOOKBACK:
Feeling nostalgic? Right here’s a glance again at our historic recruiting class rankings, plus our retrospectives of these lessons after 4 NCAA seasons:
