NCAA recruiting churns on, and so do our yearly recruit rankings. Earlier than we get to rating out the highest recruits within the present highschool sophomore and junior courses, it’s time to revisit our recruiting ranks of the graduating seniors.
As recruiting courses get nearer to precise NCAA competitors, we begin to weigh sure elements extra closely: NCAA scoring occasions turn out to be extra essential, and we are inclined to worth one or two standout occasions a bit extra closely (in comparison with a variety of simply respectable 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 possibly can look again on our authentic ranks for this class under, however do keep in mind that these ranks are merely a snapshot in time – we didn’t have a working crystal ball then, nor will we now:
THIS CLASS
Very restricted dash fly/again depth
Plenty of elite breaststrokers however not tons of depth behind them
An traditionally deep distance class – seven males below quarter-hour within the mile
Plenty of good however not elite dash freestylers, usually with out an top-tier third occasion
We famous final yr that the weak point of this class was a scarcity of pure dash specialists within the 100 again and 100 fly, and that’s the case once more this yr. There’s nonetheless just one swimmer to have damaged 46 seconds in both the 100 fly or again – Thomas Heilman within the 100 fly – and solely seven sub-47 within the 100 fly and eight sub-47 within the 100 again.
In distance freestyle nevertheless the depth is super. There are two new swimmers to interrupt quarter-hour within the mile this yr in Ryan Erisman and Noah Mudadu, though solely a type of who had performed so by our final rankings dropped time this yr. The reclassification of Aiden Hammer from the Class of 2026 to this one solely strengthens that group too, as he holds the second-fastest time within the 500 free..
There’s a clear prime two in Heilman and Williamson, and the dearth of any true stroke standouts in fly or again outdoors of Gavin Keogh makes it tough to resolve the place the cutoff for the highest 20 can be. In direction of the underside of those rankings there are some elite lengthy course swimmers who haven’t fairly translated that to totally yards to this point that we are able to’t fairly ignore, and the outstanding energy in depth of the space swimmers makes it robust to attract a line; particularly so when these are occasions the place we are inclined to see large drops in faculty.
There are a number of elite breaststrokers, with 5 swimmers below each 54 within the 100 and 1:55 within the 200, nevertheless the depth does fall off after them. All 5 of these additionally carry sturdy occasions in different strokes, with no pure elite breaststroker within the class. – that versatility is a theme elsewhere, with few stroke completely pure stroke specialists in any respect.
TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2025
THE METHODOLOGY
Our purpose in these rankings is to mirror what faculty coaches search for in recruits, based mostly on a few years of conversations and protection.
We focus solely on American-based athletes, just because there may be a lot uncertainty with worldwide recruits – in the event that they’ll come to the USA, after they’ll come to the States and with what graduating class they need to be ranked. Projecting worldwide recruits typically turns into extra of a dialogue of when they’ll first be a part of a university program and never which program they’ll be a part of.
A couple 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 usually 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 can have a unique steadiness of focus between brief course and lengthy course swimming, the NCAA competes in brief course yards, and that’s going to be the principle 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 may imply for an athlete’s future in brief course.
NCAA scoring skill – NCAAs are the massive 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 skill 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 precious 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 precious, comparatively, with numerous different veteran choices. In the identical manner, a recruiting class stacked with swimmers in butterfly, for instance, would make every butterflyer rather less sought-after out there, with numerous different recruiting choices in a position to present comparable manufacturing.
In fact, there’s no option to predict the longer term, and probably the most concrete information we’ve to go on are chilly, arduous occasions. These rankings on no account imply that each one of those 20 swimmers shall be NCAA standouts, they usually definitely don’t imply that no swimmer left off this checklist will make large contributions on the NCAA degree.
Disclaimer: there are a lot of highschool juniors 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 checklist, be happy to politely level them out within the feedback. There’s an opportunity that we disagree along with your evaluation of their spot within the prime 20, and as long as it’s performed civilly, there’s no downside 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 make sure that we right it.
Dash Free
Distance Free:
Backstroke:
Butterfly:
Breast:
IM:
Honorable Mentions
Zack Oswald (Earlier Rank: HM) — Suburban Seahawks Membership — The Haverford College — Newtown Sq., PA **Dedicated to Notre Dame**
Finest Occasions:
100 again: 46.38
200 again: 1:43.10
200 IM: 1:47.61
20 free: 20.47
100 fly: 47.39
Oswald has had a mixture of good drops and occasions standing nonetheless, however fortunately, these drops have are available his fundamental occasions. The 2 backstrokes have come down properly as he maintains his place at third within the class within the 100, now solely a tenth off Gavin Keogh’s class-leading time. His 200 is beginning to pop a bit extra, however he nonetheless solely ranks tenth at school, and he doesn’t have an elite third occasion but. The 100 fly might be closest after he dropped 1.5 seconds this yr to go 47.39, however that doesn’t line up too effectively for an NCAA schedule.
He’s acquired a pleasant 200 IM of 1:47.6, which may very well be a Day 1 occasion, however in the intervening time, you’d think about he’ll give attention to a 100 again/100 fly/200 again lineup for ACCs, the place he would have scored this yr within the 100 again. He’ll doubtless be a key relay contributor for the Combating Irish, and with Jack Armour, needs to be a part of some freshman-led medley relays.
Nathan Szobota (Earlier Rank: #4)— NOVA Of Virginia — Freeman Excessive College — Richmond, VA **Dedicated to Virginia**
Finest Occasions:
1650 free: 14:53.83
1000 free: 8:50.44
500 free: 4:18.38
200 free: 1:36.48
200 again: 1:42.00
100 again: 47.45
400 IM: 3:49.93
Szobota has not swum the mile this yr in any respect, was 4:19.8 within the 500, and solely dropped time within the 200 freestyle (from 1:36.9) and each backstrokes. If his focus going ahead is on backstroke somewhat than the space freestyles, he’s a radically completely different prospect to the one we’ve ranked the previous two years. It’s robust to disregard his 14:53 mile time, however he’s two years eliminated at this level, but to indicate that he can return to that kind, and Virginia doesn’t have a observe file of creating distance freestylers. His backstroke occasions alone make him a challenger for the highest 20, however there are a number of quicker within the 100, and his 200 time, while fourth within the class, isn’t sufficient to displace these forward of him.
Ethan Reniewicki (Earlier Rank: N/A) — Scottsdale Aquatic Membership — Chaparral Excessive College (AZ) — Scottsdale, AZ **Dedicated to Ohio State**
Finest Occasions:
50 free: 19.80
100 free: 43.09
200 free: 1:36.39
100 fly: 47.48
200 fly: 1:47.85
There are swimmers we’ve left off right here near Reniewicki’s dash occasions of 19.8/43.0, however he has a few different sturdy occasions that separate him from the pack. He’s dropped 1.4 seconds this yr to go 1:36.3 within the 200 free, and has a 47.4 100 fly that might make him helpful on medley relays. His fundamental worth although comes within the 50 free and 100 free, the place he’s sub-20 and practically sub-43 after beginning the season at 20.59 and 45.28. These are big drops in dash free, and make him an attractive pickup for OSU’s relays. A schedule of fifty free/100 fly or 200 free/100 free suits collectively effectively at NCAAs and Large Tens, too.
Blake Amlicke (Earlier Rank: 13) — Nashville Aquatic Membership — Pope John Paul II Excessive College — Clarksville, TN **Dedicated to Virginia**
Finest Occasions:
50 free: 19.71
100 free: 43.63
100 again: 46.45
200 again: 1:43.24
Identical to Reniewicki, Amlicke’s dash freestyle occasions alone aren’t sufficient to be right here, however he provides a 46.45 100 backstroke that ranks fourth within the class. That’s a slight drop from final yr, however he has fallen from second once we final ranked the 2025 class. That’s a strong dash backstroke time, although, particularly so in a category with none standouts within the 100, and he was 21.77 main off Nashville’s 200 medley relay at Winter Juniors.
He’s not too shabby within the 200 again both with a 1:43.24, though there are 9 swimmers to have damaged 1:43 and he ranks twelfth, having solely dropped half a second this yr. Nonetheless, his backstroke is intriguing at a minimal, and he ought to have the ability to slot into at the very least the 200 free relay as a rotation piece in his freshman yr.
Aiden Hammer (Earlier Rank: N/A – reclassified from 2026) — King Aquatic Membership — Gig Harbor Excessive College — Fox Island, WA **Verbally dedicated to Texas**
Finest Occasions:
200 free: 1:35.85
500 free: 4:14.21
1000 free: 8:55.18
1650 free: 15:10.49
200 fly: 1:47.95
200 again: 1:46.02
Hammer’s worth in brief course is available in distance freestyle, which is an enormous energy of this class already. He’s stronger within the 500 and dropped down from 4:23.80 to 4:14.21 this yr to rank second within the class; nevertheless, a mile time of 15:10 is robust. He is also an intriguing possibility within the 200 backstroke or fly with some extra growth there. Hammer has additionally improved from 1:37.95 to 1:35.85 within the 200, and though that isn’t fairly in third-event territory but, he’s going to only about one of the best place he may for mid-distance free. He’ll in all probability go together with a 500 free/200 free/1650 free schedule, and if he continues the enhancements he’s proven this yr, he may make this rating look low.
While these rankings are primarily about brief course, Hammer had a unbelievable U.S. Nationals in lengthy course at first of June. He positioned third within the 1500 in 15:05, and that ought to translate to a a lot quicker mile than the 15:10 he went again in March – fairly probably down close to the 14:48.80 it took to make NCAAs this yr.
Noah Mudadu (Earlier Rank: N/A)— Sandpipers of Nevada — Religion Lutheran Excessive College — Las Vegas, NV **Verbally dedicated to ASU**
Finest Occasions:
1650 free: 14:53.49
1000 free: 8:54.97
500 free: 4:16.84
Dedicated to ASU, Mudadu has a unique profile to quite a lot of their latest recruits with him being a pure distance freestyle specialist. He’s dropped big quantities of time this yr within the 500/1650 freestyle however doesn’t actually have a 3rd occasion outdoors of these two but. He’s inside 1% of the 2025 invite time within the mile and a couple of% within the 200, and after being 4:27.1 and 15:26 final season, now ranks effectively inside the top-ten for each occasions (seventh and fourth). In a yr with a lot distance freestyle depth, he doesn’t fairly make the highest 20 regardless of his big enhancements. His lack of a 3rd occasion does knock him down barely, and he’s solely been below 4:20 twice and 15:20 as soon as. He ought to, nevertheless, be an important recruit for ASU – he simply doesn’t but have the consistency or the lengthy course prowess be a surefire top-20 decide.
Marvin Johnson (Earlier Rank: #10) — McCallie GPS Aquatics — McCallie College — Chattanooga, TN **Verbally dedicated to Florida**
Finest Occasions:
50 free: 19.55
100 free: 43.04
200 free: 1:37.06
100 fly: 48.88
Johnson falls down our rankings right here for 2 causes, as the remainder of the category catches as much as him on the 50 and 100 free and he’s nonetheless but to develop a 3rd occasion. He hasn’t crushed his bests within the dash freestyles this yr, and though 19.55/43.04 is sufficient to rank him fourth in each distances, there are a couple of swimmers inside a tenth or two. He has dropped a second within the 200 for the second yr in a row, however each that and his 100 fly have but to develop to the identical calibre as his sprints. He’s hundredths of a scoring time finally yr’s SECs within the 50, and it wouldn’t take a lot for him to be a two-event scorer and a relay piece there.
Ian Platts-Mill (Earlier Rank: BOTR) — North Caroline Aquatic Membership — Durham Academy — Chapel Hill, NC **Verbally dedicated to Cal**
Finest Occasions:
1650 free: 15:01.86
400 IM: 3:45.23
200 IM: 1:47.34
500 free: 4:23.09
200 free: 1:37.77
200 again: 1:44.99
15:01 within the mile and three:45 within the 400 IM would usually be sufficient for a top-20 spot, however with the depth in each occasions this yr, he solely ranks eighth and sixth. He doesn’t but have a 3rd occasion on the calibre of these two, together with his 200 IM of 1:47.34 rating the closest. His 400 is 4.7 seconds faster than final season, he’s dropped 13.5 seconds off his mile, and he’s taken chunks out of his 200 and 500 free bests as effectively. He would have scored in his two greatest occasions finally yr’s ACCs, in occasions the place Cal finds itself with out many confirmed NCAA scorers.
20. Alejandro Michelena (Earlier Rank: N/A) — Cypress Fairbanks Swim Membership — Klein Cain Excessive College — Spring, TX **Verbally dedicated to Texas A&M**
Finest Occasions:
100 fly: 46.42
200 fly: 1:43.82
50 free: 19.95
100 free: 44.21
Michelena is available in because the third-fastest flyer behind Heilman and Williamson, and has dropped chunks of time this yr to go from 47.9/1:45.8 to 46.4/1:43.6. He has a pleasant 50 free as effectively after cracking 20 seconds this yr to go 19.95, and a 44.2 100 free just isn’t unhealthy as a developmental occasion. He’s not fairly a plug and play relay contributor but, however he does have a pleasant three occasion schedule creating of fifty free/100 fly/200 fly, and would have scored within the latter two of these finally yr’s SECs. He’s nonetheless over two seconds off the 2025 NCAA qualifying time within the 200, however his enchancment curve is promising after slicing greater than two seconds off this yr. Add in that the Aggies have developed dash freestyle and fly swimmers just lately in Ben Scholl and Connor Foote, and his freshman season appears to be like to be an intriguing one.
19. Kenneth Barnicle (Earlier Rank: HM) — Higher Somerset County YMCA — West Morris Mendham Excessive College — Mendham, NJ **Verbally dedicated to Cal**
Finest Occasions:
100 free: 43.04
200 free: 1:35.15
100 fly: 47.66
100 again: 46.99
200 again: 1:43.22
200 IM: 1:45.07
Barnicle is an extremely versatile swimmer and suffers barely from being a jack of all trades right here. His 100 freestyle is joint-4th within the class and 43.0 as a excessive schooler is extremely fast, however he doesn’t have one other occasion on par with proper now, however somewhat a pair just under. He’s sub-47 within the 100 backstroke and dropped two seconds within the 200 IM this yr to go 1:45.0, each of which rank within the top-10 within the class. He dropped time in all of his fundamental occasions this yr, with a number of PBs this calendar yr too which is an encouraging signal.
Together with his velocity within the 100, which featured a 20.7 opening cut up, you need to assume he might be quicker than 20.54 within the 50. With the idea that he can crack 20 seconds and turn out to be a possible relay piece for Cal, he’s a strong decide right here.
18. Noah Cakir (Earlier Rank: 12) — Workforce Suffolk Swim Membership — Saint Anthony’s Excessive College — Deer Park, NY **Verbally dedicated to Indiana**
Finest Occasions:
100 breast: 52.34
200 breast: 1:54.45
100 free: 44.86
200 free: 1:37.72
200 fly: 1:45.30
200 IM: 1:45.27
400 IM: 3:46.29
Like Josh Bey and Gabe Nunziata forward of him, Cakir is a breaststroke specialist who can be within the dialog even with out taking his breaststroke occasions into consideration. In breaststroke, he’s dropped simply over a second within the 100 and half a second within the 200, rating third within the 100 and fifth within the 200, however is robust within the 200 fly and 200/400 IM as effectively. He’s dropped from 1:47.3 to 1:45.3 within the 200 fly this season to rank tenth within the class, and while his medley occasions have stagnated barely, they nonetheless rank him simply outdoors the highest 10.
He doesn’t fairly have the freestyle velocity of the breaststrokers forward of him and hasn’t dropped any time within the 100/200/500, however he has 5 occasions that will have at the very least made ‘B’ finals at Large Tens final yr. He’s inside 1% of the NCAA invite time from final yr in each the breaststrokes as effectively, and shouldn’t have any problem becoming in at Indiana together with his lineup. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see whether or not he pursues the 200 fly over the 200 breast, with each sturdy in lengthy course as effectively (2:00.3/2:13.5), however something outdoors of the breaststroke and IMs is a bonus for him at this level. He’s knocked down barely by his freestyle occasions in comparison with the opposite breaststrokers, however will begin this fall as Indiana’s quickest freshman 100 breaststroker after overtaking Josh Bey and may very well be the go-to man on relays for them.
17. Xavier Sohovich (Earlier Rank: N/A) — Bolles College Sharks — Bolles College — Jacksonville, FL **Verbally dedicated to Navy**
Finest Occasions:
500 free: 4:15.46
200 free: 1:34.66
100 free: 43.86
200 again: 1:44.99
Sohovich has made big strides this yr within the 500, dropping 14 seconds to rank fourth within the class. He pairs a knockout 100/200 free combo with that, slicing off 2.6 seconds within the 200 and 0.6 within the 100 to go 43.6/1:34.6, lots to vault himself onto the Navy relays subsequent season as they give the impression of being to reclaim their convention crown from Military. He’s acquired a wonderfully outlined schedule set out for him of the 100/200/500 free, and would have received each the 200 and 500 on the Patriot League champs this yr. Add to that the truth that he cut up 19.7/42.9/1:33.9 at Winter Juniors East, and he’s the most effective three-distance freestylers within the class and is a menace on the 50 too.
16. Ryan Erisman (Earlier Rank: HM) — Laker Swimming — Windermere Excessive College — Windermere, FL **Verbally dedicated to Cal**
Finest Occasions:
1650 free: 14:57.76
500 free: 4:14.50
1000 free: 9:03.80
200 free: 1:36.13
100 free: 44.40
400 IM: 3:46.35
200 IM: 1:47.60
200 fly: 1:46.59
Erisman suffers barely from this class being so deep in his greatest occasions in yards, however he has had some large drops this yr. He’s taken 5 seconds off his 500 to sit down simply outdoors the 2025 invite time and has a sub-15 mile to go together with that after hacking off 27 seconds this yr. Having made our way-too-early ranks partly resulting from his versatility, Erisman has zeroed in on the freestyles in his senior season. His IMs are nonetheless intriguing, particularly the 400 IM, the place we regularly see large drops in faculty, and he’s dropped two seconds this yr, however his fundamental focus for a 3rd occasion is perhaps the 200 freestyle. He’s not dropped within the occasion since final years rankings, but additionally didn’t swim it at Winter Juniors – East, the place he swam large PBs within the 500 and mile. He did cut up 1:34.8 anchoring Lakeside’s relay there, so positively has area to drop.
He’s had an outstanding lengthy course season, and occasions of 1:47.52/3:46.01 within the 200/400 free point out that there’s far more to come back in yards, and he might be Cal’s prime distance freestyler for subsequent yr. The three:46.0 is solely unimaginable within the 400 free, and an enormous cause why he finally ends up this ranked excessive. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him develop right into a two-event scorer even in his freshman yr, particularly when you think about the progress Lucas Henveaux, an identical swimmer, made below Dave Durden.
15. Jason Zhao (Earlier Rank: #5) — Mason Manta Rays — Indian Hill Excessive College — Cincinnati, OH **Verbally dedicated to Stanford**
Finest Occasions:
500 free: 4:19.96
200 free: 1:33.51
100 free: 43.46
50 free: 20.05
100 breast: 53.50
100 fly: 47.54
200 IM: 1:46.11
Zhao has stagnated in all his fundamental occasions this yr, dropping two-hundredths within the 50 free however standing pat elsewhere. He retains his spot within the prime 20 because of the velocity he’d already proven, particularly so within the 200 free. He’s been 43.56/1:34.22 within the 100/200 free this season, each of that are nonetheless wonderful occasions, however he’s been caught by a number of others within the class within the 100 and his 200 is not the clear third within the class it was final yr (he now ranks fourth). He nonetheless stands out for his freestyle, the place he has nearly unparalleled vary from the 50 as much as the five hundred, however a scarcity of senior yr enchancment considerably hurts him right here. He did cut up 19.47 and 19.17 at Winter Juniors – the second of which is already ok to place him on Stanford’s relays this yr.
He hasn’t fairly been at his greatest in lengthy course this season both, with occasions of 49.8/1:50.2 within the 100/200 free, however cut up 48.61 within the 100 and was 1:48.98 individually finally summer time’s Junior Pan Pacs. Zhao nonetheless has each the velocity and the potential to grow to be an important swimmer for Stanford, however his future appears to be like a bit of murkier than it did at this level final yr
14. Luke Bedsole (Earlier Rank: HM) — Huntsville Swim Affiliation — Huntsville Excessive College — Owen Cross Roads, AL **Verbally dedicated to Auburn**
Finest Occasions:
50 free: 19.67
100 free: 42.91
200 free: 1:36.06
100 fly: 47.20
200 fly: 1:44.68
100 again: 47.33
200 again: 1:45.34
Bedsole is the one swimmer to have damaged 43 seconds within the 100 free outdoors the highest two, and pairs that with 19.6 velocity within the 50 and a strong 1:36.0 within the 200. He’s dropped time in all three this season, and is the one swimmer outdoors of Heilman and Williamson to have damaged 43 within the 100 free. His worth outdoors the dash freestyles is available in butterfly, the place 47.2/1:44.6 makes him one of many extra well-rounded swimmers within the class, as that 200 ranks fifth, though a 47.3 100 backstroke is a strong incoming time and makes him an possibility for relays with the commencement of Nate Stoffle. He’s already proven relay chops with a 19.35 50 free cut up at Winter Juniors in 2023.
His greatest lineup appears to be like to be 50 free/100 fly/100 free proper now, though that is determined by his continued growth within the 200 fly, the place he’s dropped practically two seconds this yr. He additionally brings super relay worth to a squad that’s constructed its latest success in that space, and needs to be in line to attain some particular person factors at SECs in his freshman season with all 4 of his greatest occasions simply outdoors what it took to make the ‘C’ finals final yr.
13. Enzo Solitario (Earlier Rank: N/A) — Nu Wave Swim Membership — Jesuit Excessive College (LA) — New Orleans, LA **Verbally dedicated to Wisconsin**
50 free: 20.05
100 free: 43.12
200 free: 1:34.18
100 fly: 47.74
200 fly: 1:45.04
100 again: 47.85
200 again: 1:45.96
There are different swimmers within the class who’re 19-high/20-low within the 50 free and 43-low within the 100 free, however only a few of them can go as much as the 200 like Solitario. He’s 20.0/43.1/1:34.1 which makes him an actual three-distance freestyle menace, and are big enhancements from final yr the place he was 20.9/44.4/1:39.4. He’s had an important yr of drops throughout all his fundamental occasions truly, together with by 4 seconds within the 200 fly to go 1:45.0, and he’s fast sufficient to have made the ‘B’ finals within the 200 free and 200 fly at 2025 Large Tens. These are some big drops, and the variety of completely different occasions they’ve are available signifies that Solitario is a swimmer effectively on the rise.
He’ll have choices in fly and backstroke as effectively, the place he’s 47.7/47.8 within the 100s and brings an intriguing relay possibility. He’ll go straight onto the Badgers’ 400 and 800 freestyle groups and may very well be a boon for the 400 medley as effectively in a yr or two.
12. Thomas Mercer (Earlier Rank: #9) — Lakeside Swim Workforce (KY) — Saint Xavier Excessive College — Louisville, KY **Verbally dedicated to Virginia**
Finest Occasions:
200 IM: 1:43.51
400 IM: 3:46.31
100 again: 47.22
200 again: 1:43.14
100 fly: 47.43
200 fly: 1:43.88
200 free: 1:37.27
Mercer hasn’t dropped an excessive amount of time since final yr and has been caught barely by the remainder of the category, however he’s nonetheless an exquisite all-around swimmer who has a wealth of lineup choices accessible to him. He’s already quick sufficient to attain at ACCs, together with his 200 IM being ‘B’ final-worthy and his 400 IM and 200 fly being ok for the ‘C’ remaining. He’s not too far-off from NCAA qualification within the 200 IM both, being inside 1%, and has shaved at the very least a while off all his fundamental occasions apart from the 400 IM this yr. A 46.0 cut up at Winter Juniors within the 100 fly signifies that he’s acquired time to drop there once more, as does a 20.7 50 fly cut up.
He ranks within the top-10 in three occasions: 200 fly (4th), 200 IM (fifth) and 400 IM (tenth), together with his 100 backstroke being simply 0.03 away from tenth as effectively. That versatility and the all-around enhancements he’s had this yr imply that he doesn’t drop an excessive amount of, though he’s but to actually nail down his greatest occasions.
11. Gabe Nunziata (Earlier Rank: HM) — Outdated Dominion Aquatic Membership — StoneBridge College — Suffolk, VA **Verbally dedicated to Tennessee**
Finest Occasions:
100 breast: 52.47
200 breast: 1:53.73
200 IM: 1:44.97
400 IM: 3:48.74
100 free: 44.19
200 free: 1:35.94
After being an Honorable Point out final yr, Nunziata is effectively inside the highest 20 this time round. He’s dropped chunks in his breaststroke occasions after ending final season at 54.0/1:56.5, and is now simply two tenths away from the highest within the class on the 200. He’s even higher in lengthy course, with bests of 1:00.36 and a couple of:09.71 – that signifies that he needs to be even quicker than his 1:53.7 within the 200, which is already lower than a second of the 2025 NCAA invite time. His 200 IM is probably extra intriguing, nevertheless. He was 1:44.9 in March, having come into the season at 1:49.2, and the checklist of faculty breaststrokers who’ve an elite 200 IM is an extended one. The truth that he has 44/1:35 freestyle velocity is unbelievable for a breaststroke specialist as effectively. He’ll step in as the principle breaststroker for Tennessee, however he’s intriguing sufficient in different occasions to warrant a glance earlier than specialising too far.
10. William Mulgrew (Earlier Rank: #6)— Shamwut Aquatic Membership — Xavieran Brothers Excessive College — Walpole. MA **Verbally dedicated to Harvard**
Finest Occasions:
1650 free: 14:48.26
1000 free: 8:56.24
500 free: 4:19.25
400 IM: 3:53.55
While Mulgrew didn’t enhance his mile time this yr, he’ll nonetheless enter faculty with a time nearly quick sufficient to qualify for NCAAs. His 14:48.26 is the second-fastest within the class and just below the 2025 NCAA invite time of 14:48.80, though he’s one among seven below the 15-minute mark in a traditionally deep class in distance free. Mulgrew is a pure miler within the vein of Charlie Clark, and he’s damage within the rankings right here by a scarcity of a tertiary occasion – He’s been 4:19 within the 500, however has no actual different occasion the place he may make an NCAA influence proper now. Factors are all the time precious no matter the place they arrive from, but it surely appears unlikely proper now that Mulgrew will contribute in that space in both secondary occasions or relays.
He’s nice in lengthy course with 15:11 1500 free, and was solely 2.7 seconds off his mile greatest in brief course this yr. He’ll make a huge impact at Ivy’s for the Crimson Tide, the place he would have made three ‘A’ finals this yr and scored 79 factors at a championship Harvard completed second in by 67.5 factors.
9. Sean Inexperienced (Earlier Rank: #7)— Lengthy Island Aquatic Membership — Archbishop Molloy Excessive College — Backyard Metropolis, NY **Verbally dedicated to Georgia**
Finest Occasions:
1650 free: 14:49.33
1000 free: 8:55.64
500 free: 4:16.78
200 free: 1:34.86
200 again: 1:44.33
200 fly: 1:47.78
200 IM: 1:47.64
400 IM: 3:46.26
Inexperienced is the one one of many 4 sub-15 milers from final yr to have dropped time, having taken eight seconds off to go 14:49.33, half a second outdoors of the NCAA 2025 invite time. He’s improved in his different freestyle occasions as effectively, with 1:34.8/4:16 velocity within the 200/500, and has set greatest occasions in each IMs and the 200 backstroke this yr. He dropped over a second within the 200 free and practically two within the 500 to associate with his large drop within the mile, and is inside a second of the 2025 NCAA qualifying time within the 1650. He’d have scored within the 200/500/1650 free at SECs, and immediate convention scorers with relay potential are all the time precious.
As Georgia has proven with Jake Magahey, mid-distance freestylers can thrive there. His greatest three occasions match collectively effectively, and he stands an excellent probability of constructing the 800 free relay workforce for the Dawgs on the convention degree at a minimal. His enchancment curve is promising, particularly so in occasions the place we are inclined to see large drops from highschool to school like distance freestyle. Regardless of his versatility, he ought to settle right into a well-defined function for Georgia as a three-distance freestyler.
8. Jack Armour (Earlier Rank: N/A) — Texas Ford Aquatics — Wakeland Excessive College — Frisco, TX **Verbally dedicated to Notre Dame**
Finest Occasions:
100 breast: 51.86
200 breast: 1:55.18
200 IM: 1:43.34
50 free: 20.17
100 free: 44.06
200 free: 1:36.61
100 fly: 48.11
Armour has had an enormous yr to leap into the highest 10 after not being ranked final time round. His 100 breast has dropped from 54.29 to 51.86 – second quickest within the class and fewer than three-tenths off an NCAA invite. He’s seen an excellent greater drop within the 200 IM, the place he’s gone from above 1:50 to 1:43.34, which is fourth-fastest within the class. That can be below the Notre Dame college file, and his 100 breast is just 1 / 4 of a second away. He had an important U.S. Nationals in addition, dropping a second within the 100 and three within the 200, and has proven no signal of slowing down this season. The 200 breast suits in properly as a 3rd occasion, however he’s acquired good freestyle velocity as effectively – search for him to be a characteristic on Notre Dame’s relays.
The breaststrokes and medleys are occasions we are inclined to see swimmers drop quite a lot of time in at school. If that holds true for Armour, he’ll show to be an outstanding pickup, and even with none drops, he’s a weapon on the convention degree. On the 2025 ACC Championships, Armour would have made the ‘A’ remaining within the 100 breast, ‘B’ remaining within the 200 IM and ‘C’ remaining within the 200 breast – ok for round 40 factors. That, paired together with his big enhancements this season and the relay worth he’ll add in each the 200 and 400 medley, makes him extremely precious.
7. Gavin Keogh (Earlier Rank: #17) — Flatiron Athletic Membership — Monarch Excessive College — Erie, CO **Verbally dedicated to NC State**
Finest Occasions:
100 again: 46.28 (greatest at school)
200 again: 1:40.53 (greatest at school)
200 IM: 1:47.33
400 IM: 3:50.79
100 free: 43.87
200 free:1:36.27
Keogh has dropped once more this yr in each backstrokes to rank as one of the best swimmer within the class within the stroke, and has added some good freestyle velocity as effectively. He’s overtaken Maximus Williamson for the quickest within the class at each backstroke distances after dropping a second on the 100 and greater than two within the 200 to go 46.29/1:40.53, and is just four-tenths off the 2025 NCAA invite time within the latter of these. That’s a unbelievable time within the 200 for a excessive schooler, particularly once we are inclined to see freshmen drop chunks of time on this occasion.
That 100 time offers him some good relay worth for the Wolfpack, and his 43.87 within the 100 free solely provides to that. His IM occasions have come down as effectively, by two seconds within the 200 and 4 within the 400, and may very well be his greatest avenue for a 3rd occasion. Even with out one, his backstroke occasions already make him a possible freshman invite for NCAAs in 2026.
6. Josh Bey (Earlier Rank: #8) — Highland Hurricanes Swim Membership — Hinsdale Central Excessive College — Hinsdale, IL **Verbally dedicated to Indiana**
Finest Occasions:
100 breast: 52.68
200 breast: 1:53.74
200 IM: 1:43.96
400 IM: 3:42.61
100 free: 43.53
200 free: 1:35.16
Bey has earned his spot on these rankings within the final two years based mostly totally on his breaststroke occasions, however his place this yr owes much more to his enhancements elsewhere. After two years of being the quickest two-distance breaststroker within the class, he solely ranks fifth within the 100 and third within the 200 this yr. He has proven development from final yr, getting below 1:54 within the 200 and 53 within the 100, and Indiana is aware of a factor or two about getting one of the best out of breaststrokers. Within the IMs, nevertheless, he’s dropped practically a second within the 200 (1:43.96) and greater than seven seconds within the 400 to go 3:42.61. That’s precisely a second outdoors of the invite time for the 2025 NCAAs and ranks him third within the class. That provides him 4 top-10 occasions, and he’s simply 0.01 outdoors the highest 10 within the 200 free
There’ll be a call to make on Day 3 of NCAAs for him, however proper now his greatest lineup appears to be like to be 200 IM – 400 IM – 200 breast. He would have made the ‘A’ remaining within the 400 IM at Large Tens, together with his greatest being ok for fifth, and appears to already be a 50-60 level scorer on the convention degree. Bey has freestyle chops as effectively, with greatest occasions of 43.5/1:35.1 within the 100/200, giving the potential for relay berths down the road. Bey offers Indiana quite a lot of choices, however together with his fundamental strengths being in breaststroke and IM, he’s a near-perfect match for this system.
5. Ethan Ekk (Earlier Rank: #16) — Space Tallahassee Aquatic Membership — Lawton Chiles Excessive College — Tallahassee, FL **Verbally dedicated to Stanford**
Finest Occasions:
200 free: 1:33.49
500 free: 4:13.55 (greatest at school)
1000 free: 8:44.69
200 again: 1:41.25
100 again: 47.13
100 free: 43.59
200 IM: 1:48.54
400 IM: 3:49.26
Ekk has jumped up the rankings but once more right here, after a breakout senior season the place he’s dropped time in all of his fundamental occasions. He’s now the quickest 500 freestyler within the class after dropping six seconds in 2024-25, and his 4:13.55 makes him the one swimmer within the class with a time that will have certified for NCAAs within the occasion final yr. He brings nice velocity all the best way all the way down to the 100, and should have already got a spot on Stanford’s 800 free relay workforce together with his wonderful 200 free time of 1:33.49. That might usually be combating for prime spot in a high-school class, and the actual fact it solely ranks third is extra a sign of the extent of the highest two on this one than a knock on Ekk.
He’s 47.1 and 1:41.3 within the backstrokes as effectively, rating tenth within the former and third within the latter after taking two seconds off within the 200 this yr. In lengthy course, he simply went 1:56.54 to interrupt the Canadian File within the 200 again, qualifying for the World Championships, and brings 49.7/1:48.5 freestyle velocity. He needs to be a boon for Stanford’s relays and is a greater than promising mid-distance freestyle/backstroke prospect for the Cardinal.
4. Luke Ellis (Earlier Rank: #3) — Sandpipers Of Nevada — Homeschooled — Las Vegas, NV **Verbally dedicated to Indiana**
Finest Occasions:
1650 free: 14:29.48 (greatest at school)
1000 free: 8:44.62 (greatest at school)
500 free: 4:15.54
200 free: 1:37.44
400 IM: 3:42.94
200 again: 1:44.35
200 fly: 1:46.47
Luke Ellis has not dropped within the mile since final yr, however when being 11 seconds off your PB continues to be an NCAA scoring time, that isn’t the top of the world. A excessive schooler with a sub-14:30 mile is exceptional, and he’s been 14:40 this season – that alone can be quickest within the class by eight seconds and greater than sufficient for the highest 10. His greatest would nonetheless rating double-digit factors within the occasion at NCAAs, even with the occasion changing into a lot quicker this yr. He’s dropped a second and a half within the 500 free and greater than two in 400 IM this yr to fall inside 1% of the NCAA qualification occasions, and would have scored large factors at Large Tens this yr. His greatest three occasions match collectively completely at NCAAs, too, with a transparent path to a 500 free/400 IM/1650 schedule.
An immediate NCAA scorer and conference-level weapon, Ellis drops barely resulting from a scarcity of relay worth and stagnation in his greatest occasion, each in yards and meters. He’s just one:37 within the 200 free and has been effectively off his 1500 greatest this yr. Nonetheless, he was the junior Pan Pacs runner-up within the 1500 final summer time, 4th within the 400 IM, and is a generational miler in yards – he simply must return to NCAA-top-5 kind to cement that.
3. Campbell McKean (Earlier Rank: #14) — Bend Swim Membership — Caldera Excessive College — Bend, OR **Verbally dedicated to Texas**
Finest Occasions:
100 fly: 46.46
200 fly: 1:46.75
200 IM: 1:41.19
400 IM: 3:42.54
100 breast: 51.28 (greatest at school)
200 breast: 1:53.54 (greatest at school)
200 free: 1:35.84
100 again: 47.58
200 again: 1:44.32
One of many largest risers from final yr’s top-20, McKean has had a unbelievable yr. He is available in with a pair of scoring occasions within the 100 breast and 200 IM, with a robust 200 breast trying like his greatest wager for the third occasion. He ranks first within the class within the 100 breast (51.28), first within the 200 breast (1:53.54), second within the 200 IM (1:41.19), and second within the 400 IM (3:42.54). He’s had big drops in all of these: his breaststrokes had been 53.3/1:59.6 final yr and IMs had been 1:44.2 and three:46.5. He’s an outstanding lengthy course swimmer as effectively, setting occasions of 26.90/58.96 when successful U.S. Nationals at first of June, and can nearly definitely have time to drop in yards as soon as he will get to Texas. Scoring occasions in high-school breaststrokers are few and much between as effectively, with McKean the quickest we’ve ranked since Reece Whitely again in 2018.
His versatility throughout each strokes is paying homage to Andrew Seliskar – each one among his 200s is strong at least – and he has freestyle velocity in addition with a 1:35.9. A 46.46 100 fly ranks him fourth within the class and is a 1.5 second drop from final yr, exhibiting that he’s continued with the butterfly that led to us rating him 14th on the way-too-early ranks, at the same time as his breaststroke turns into a transparent precedence. He featured on the 4×100 freestyle relay for Workforce USA at Junior Pan Pacs final yr (50.22 cut up), and will develop to be a useful relay weapon for Texas a lot as Caspar Corbeau was.
2. Maximus Williamson (Earlier Rank: #1) — Lakeside Aquatic Membership — Keller Excessive College — Southlake, TX **Dedicated to Virginia**
Finest Occasions:
400 IM: 3:39.83 (greatest at school)
200 IM: 1:40.81 (greatest at school)
200 free: 1:30.46 (greatest at school)
100 free: 41.54 (greatest at school)
50 free: 19.08 (greatest at school)
200 again: 1:40.88
100 again: 46.29
500 free: 4:16.84
200 fly: 1:42.17
100 fly: 46.27
Williamson doesn’t fairly keep his stranglehold on the highest occasions within the class that he had final yr, however with 5, he nonetheless has greater than double anybody else. He’s dropped time in all three dash freestyles after being 19.4/41.8/1:31.3 final yr, and remarkably will enter the NCAA because the quickest 200 freestyler. Nonetheless, he’s not dropped any time within the 200 IM or 400 IM this yr, which had been two of his calling playing cards when this class was ranked again in 2023, particularly within the 400, the place his greatest is from Winter Juniors in 2022. Actually, his season bests stand at 1:44/3:51, and it’s an identical story within the 200 backstroke, the place he hasn’t cracked 1:44 this yr. His dash freestyle occasions are superlative, however trying solely at his greatest occasions offers an inflated view of his present kind.
The actual dealbreaker with Williamson’s drop to #2 this yr is consistency. Heilman has turned as much as Trials, U.S. Nationals, and Winter Juniors and swum completely lights out over the past two years; Williamson ebbs and flows. In lengthy course, he hasn’t managed to hit the heights of 2023 within the final couple of years, and his relay worth for Virginia could also be completely in freestyle, regardless of his drops in butterfly this yr. He’s nonetheless a projected three-event scorer together with his greatest occasions, however he’s not fairly the do-everything celebrity he was. He doesn’t should be the highest star at Virginia, however the uncertainty of which Williamson will flip up at ACCs and NCAAs is definitely one thing to think about.
1. Thomas Heilman (Earlier Rank: #2) – Cavalier Aquatics/Piedmont Household YMCA – Crozet, VA **Verbally Dedicated to Virginia**
Finest Occasions:
100 fly: 43.86 (greatest at school)
200 fly: 1:38.95 (greatest at school)
50 free: 19.24
100 free: 42.00
200 free: 1:32.26
200 IM: 1:41.26
400 IM: 3:43.63
Heilman retakes the highest spot this yr after some unimaginable drops in fly and phenomenal consistency in lengthy course, the place he’s simply made his third consecutive worldwide workforce. In yards, he’s already a podium menace with 43.86/1:38.95 fly velocity, drops of 0.8 and 1.7 from final yr, and marries that with some depraved freestyle velocity of 19.2/42.0/1:32.2. The freestyle occasions alone would usually be sufficient to place him close to the highest of the category, and whereas he’s not dropped in both the 50 or 100 this yr he’s nonetheless solely tenths away from the NCAA lower final season in each. A 200 IM ok to ‘B’ remaining offers him six potential occasions to choose from for NCAAs.
He’ll immediately turn out to be Virginia’s prime flyer and is already below the varsity data at each distances, and it’ll be robust to decide on which of the 5 relays to depart him off. He’s a lock for each medleys and is within the top-five-splits-in-the-field dialog, however he’s improved each one of many Cavaliers’ freestyle relays as effectively. His schedule will look one thing like 200 IM or 50 free/100 fly/200 fly, and he’s already acquired three scoring occasions. Heilman would have scored 92 out of a attainable 96 factors at ACCs and brought residence 33 factors at NCAAs this yr – greater than Virginia scored as an entire. Add to that his lengthy course prowess, the place he’s 50.7 and 1:53.8 to personal each 17-18 NAG Information, and he’s an out-of-this-world recruit who persistently throws down phenomenal swims.
BONUS LOOKBACK:
Feeling nostalgic? Right here’s a glance again at our historic recruiting class rankings, plus our retrospectives of these courses after 4 NCAA seasons:
