It’s that point of yr once more after we at SwimSwam rank out the highest 20 highschool swimming prospects within the upcoming NCAA recruiting class.
As faculty recruiting has reached earlier and earlier into highschool lessons, we’re regularly increasing our recruiting ranks and protection. Final summer season, we ranked out the then-sophomore class. That is basically a re-rank of that class, considering a yr of enhancements. Keep tuned to our recruiting channel for extra additions to our yearly recruiting protection:
- Ladies & boys ranks for present juniors – highschool class of 2025 (up to date rankings from our “Manner Too Early” rankings final spring)
- Manner Too Early ranks for present sophomore women & boys – highschool class of 2026
- Re-Rank of outgoing senior women & boys – highschool class of 2024
THIS CLASS
- Three generational abilities on the high who dominate
- A ton of distance free expertise
- Nonetheless not many pure sprinters, particularly in backstroke and butterfly
The boys’ highschool class of 2025 might be remembered as a historic. On the conclusion of their junior years, we’ve already received Luke Ellis, a swimmer who’s already quick sufficient to win NCAAs; Thomas Heilman, a 17-year-old U.S. Olympian; and Maximus Williamson, the quickest excessive schooler ever in three totally different occasions. These three swimmers are generational abilities, who lead the category in all however two occasions. Particularly, a number of different swimmers who would have been on the high of their specialty in different years have to take a seat in second or third on this class due to Heilman and Williamson.
Along with having generational abilities, the category of 2025 may even be recognized for its distance prowess. There are 5 totally different swimmers with sub-15 minute miles after there have been none within the 2024 and 2023 junior lessons, and a whopping eleven swimmers with sub-4:20 500 free instances. A number of swimmers who would have been top-ranked swimmers in different years had been neglected just because there was an excessive amount of depth on this yr’s class.
The one weak point on this yr’s class is a scarcity of pure dash specialists, particularly within the 100 again and 100 fly (this was a difficulty with the category of 2024, however it’s even worse in 2025). There are solely three sub-47 100 backstrokers, and one sub-47 butterflies. By comparability, there have been 4 sub-47 backstrokers and 5 sub-47 flyers in final yr’s junior class. As well as, Marvin Johnson is the one swimmer within the high 20 whose finest occasions are the 50 and 100 free.
Now, let’s get began.
TOP TIMES IN THE CLASS OF 2025
THE METHODOLOGY
Our objective 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’s a lot uncertainty with worldwide recruits – in the event that they’ll come to the US, 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 school program and never which program they’ll be a part of.
A couple of different components that weigh closely in our rankings:
- Relay Worth – Relay factors rely double in faculty swimming, and any program wants a robust secure 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 components being equal.
- Enhancements – Precise instances carry probably the most weight by a longshot. However we additionally keep watch over a swimmer’s trajectory, particularly in deciding between two swimmers with comparatively even instances.
- Quick Course over Lengthy Course – whereas each membership and each swimmer can have a special stability of focus between quick course and lengthy course swimming, the NCAA competes briefly course yards, and that’s going to be the principle issue thought-about in these rankings. Lengthy course instances are one other information level for consideration, however we primarily view them via the lens of what a giant lengthy course swim might imply for an athlete’s future briefly course.
- NCAA scoring means – NCAAs are the large present for faculty groups, so we’ve weighted NCAA scoring potential very extremely. Swimmers who have already got NCAA scoring instances 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 means at convention meets can also be a think about our rankings.
- Relative depth within the NCAA and recruiting class – a wealth of elite depth nationwide in a single stroke self-discipline makes a giant distinction in what instances are thought-about extra priceless in that occasion. Occasions rise at totally 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 priceless, comparatively, with numerous different veteran choices. In the identical method, a recruiting class stacked with swimmers in butterfly, for instance, would make every butterflyer rather less sought-after available in the market, 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 got to go on are chilly, exhausting instances. These rankings on no account imply that every one of those 20 swimmers might be NCAA standouts, they usually actually 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. For those who don’t see your favourite swimmer on the checklist, be at liberty to politely level them out within the feedback. There’s an opportunity that we disagree together with your evaluation of their spot within the high 20, and as long as it’s carried out 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 be certain we right it.
Finest Of The Relaxation
Dash Free:
Distance Free:
Backstroke:
Breaststroke:
Butterfly:
IM:
Honorable Mentions
Ryan Erisman — Laker Swimming — Windermere Excessive Faculty — Windermere, FL **Verbally dedicated to Cal** (Earlier Rank: 11)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 15:24.48
- 500 free: 4:19.87
- 200 free: 1:36.13
- 100 free: 44.40
- 400 IM: 3:48.42
- 200 IM: 1:48.77
- 200 fly: 1:46.59
It’s not that Erisman received worse in contrast. It’s simply that this distance class is so deep, and different swimmers have made larger jumps than him. Erisman’s greatest improvement was within the 500 free, the place he dropped practically 4 seconds. However as spectacular as a 4:19 is for a highschool junior, he’s “solely” the tenth-fastest swimmer within the class. He additionally made incremental enhancements in his different good occasions, and stays a rangey freestyler who is powerful within the IMs and 200 fly as properly. He’s the seventh-fastest 200 freestyler within the class, in addition to the eighth quickest 400 IMer.
Don’t get us fallacious, Erisman remains to be an exceptional recruit. However his inventory hurts when so many different swimmers are good at what he does.
Norvin Clontz — SwimMAC Carolina — Charlotte Latin Excessive Faculty — Charlotte, NC **Verbally dedicated to Cal** (Earlier Rank: 7)
Finest Instances:
- 200 free: 1:36.70
- 500 free: 4:19.43
- 1650 free: 15:14.12
- 400 IM: 3:50.44
- 200 breast: 1:56.63
Clontz was the most important faller on this class — he’s been stagnant for the previous two years, with each his 500 and 1650 free instances being from 2022. Nonetheless, the truth that he’s nonetheless an honorable point out reveals simply how briskly he’s even with out bettering. His 500 free time ranks ninth within the class, whereas his 1650 free time is sixth. That being stated, he did see improvement in breaststroke, dropping from a private finest of two:00.39 to 1:56.63 to turn into the fifth-best in his class for the occasion.
The brilliant aspect is that Clontz noticed lengthy course enchancment in his 200 and 400 free at Olympic trials (although simply incremental within the latter occasion), getting named onto the Junior Pan Pacs workforce. Because of this he may very well be due for a yards breakthrough this fall.
Bucky Gettys — Texas Gold — Spherical Rock Excessive Faculty — Spherical Rock, TX **Verbally dedicated to Texas A&M** (Earlier Rank: BOTR)
Finest Instances:
- 200 free: 1:37.85
- 500 free: 4:19.26
- 1650 free: 15:27.13
Gettys is the third swimmer within the trio of “quick distance swimmers damage by the depth of this class,” however not like Clontz and Erisman, his inventory rose as a substitute of falling. This particularly applies to the five hundred free, the place his finest time went from 4:24.75 to 4:19.26 in a yr, making him the sixth-fastest in his class and the quickest amongst the honorable mentions. His different occasions nonetheless want some catching on, however he’s confirmed promise — bettering practically 4 seconds within the 200 free and a second within the mile.
Gabe Nunziata — Previous Dominion Aquatic Membership — StoneBridge Faculty — Suffolk, VA **Verbally dedicated to Tennessee** (Earlier Rank: N/A)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 54.02
- 200 breast: 1:56.57
- 200 IM: 1:49.20
- 400 IM: 3:51.66
Nunziata is without doubt one of the higher all-around breaststrokers in his class — other than Willis, Cakir, and Bey, he’s the one swimmer to have each sub-54 and sub-1:56 breaststroke instances. However the principle factor that offers him an honorable point out are his lengthy course instances, as he has a finest time of 1:00.36 within the 100 breast and a time of two:11.78 within the 200 breast, approaching the Olympic ‘B’ lower in each occasions. As well as, he made the semi-finals of the 200 breast on the U.S. Olympic trials.
It stays to be seen whether or not Nunziata’s spectacular lengthy course instances can translate through the quick course season, however his outcomes from the summer season are extraordinarily promising.
Zack Oswald — Suburban Seahawks Membership — The Haverford Faculty — Newtown Sq., PA **Verbally Dedicated to Notre Dame**
Finest Instances:
- 100 again: 46.82
- 200 again: 1:44.25
- 200 IM: 1:47.61
- 20 free: 20.47
- 100 fly: 48.88
The standout time in Oswald’s resume is his 46.82 100 again, which ranks him because the third-fastest swimmer within the class behind Williamson and Amlicke. If he had a sooner 200 again or some other standout occasions, he’d simply be a lock for the highest 20, however none of his different occasions “pop” the way in which his 100 again does. That being stated, that race alone places him in high 20 competition, as being a robust dash backstroker is vital for relays.
Oswald can also be respectable in fairly a number of different occasions such because the 200 again, 200 IM, and 50 free, making him a flexible swimmer. Contemplating that he wasn’t even talked about in our rankings final yr, the longer term could be very brilliant for him given his development.
Luke Bedsole — Huntsville Swim Affiliation — Huntsville Excessive Faculty — Owen Cross Roads, AL **Verbally dedicated to Auburn** (Earlier Rank: 16)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 20.04
- 100 free: 43.67
- 200 free: 1:38.09
- 100 fly: 48.05
- 200 fly: 1:46.52
- 100 again: 47.72
There have been loads of swimmers on this class that had 19-high/20-low 50 free velocity and 43-point 100 free velocity, however what makes Bedsole stand out was his proficiency in different occasions. He’s the fifth-fastest 100 freestyler within the class (and the hole between three and 5 is fairly shut), and on the verge of breaking 20 seconds within the 50 free. He’s additionally sturdy in butterfly and backstroke too, although his fly instances don’t rank as excessive as they did final yr amongst this class, accounting for his drop down.
Prime 20
20. Alex Thiesing — Lakeside Swim Workforce — Saint Xavier Excessive Faculty — Louisville, KY **Verbally dedicated to Michigan** (Earlier Rank: HM)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 20.25
- 100 free: 43.85
- 200 free: 1:35.61
Thiesing’s 50 and 100 free instances are much like a number of swimmers within the “honorable point out” and ‘”better of the remainder” class, however what units him aside is his 200 free time — which no different high sprinter on this class (other than Williamson and Heilman) has been in a position to strategy. Within the 200 free, he’s ranked fourth within the class, and is considered one of simply 5 swimmers who’ve sub-1:36 instances. To be that good on the 200 free along with holding sturdy instances within the 50 and 100 free will make him deadly for NCAA relays.
Final yr, we wrote that Thiesing’s 200 free was what made him an “honorable point out’ as a substitute of a “better of the remainder.” This yr, he earns high 20 distinction for a similar motive.
19. Jordan Willis — SwimMAC Carolina —Marvin Ridge Excessive Faculty — Waxhaw, NC **Verbally dedicated to Florida** (Earlier Rank: HM)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 53.75
- 200 breast: 1:55.30
Final yr, Willis was one of many closing swimmers lower from high 20 consideration. He was and nonetheless is without doubt one of the high 200 breaststrokers within the class after dropping two seconds this yr, rating third total behind Josh Bey and Noah Cakir and being simply 0.21 seconds behind Cakir. Nonetheless, his 100 breast held him again final season. This isn’t the case this yr, as he improved his private finest time from 56.20 to 53.75. Now he’s the fifth-fastest 100 breaststroker within the class, and may rank because the one of many high all-around swimmers within the stroke.
Willis additionally continues to achieve worldwide expertise, qualifying for the 2024 Junior Pan Pacs workforce after incomes a silver medal within the 200 breast on the 2023 Junior Worlds.
18. Caiden Bowers—Eagle Swim Workforce — McDonogh Faculty — Marriottsville, MD **Verbally dedicated to Cal** (Earlier Rank: 15)
Finest Instances:
- 100 fly: 47.03
- 200 fly: 1:48.03
- 100 again: 53.95
- 200 breast: 1:58.56
- 200 IM: 1:46.88
B0wers is an exceptional sprinter throughout two strokes, along with being probably the greatest 200 IMers in his class. He ranks third in his class for the 100 fly behind Heilman and Williamson, in addition to eighth within the 100 breast and ninth within the 200 IM. He strikes down a bit within the high 20 this yr as a result of his occasion rankings amongst different swimmers have dipped, however his velocity throughout different occasions along with being a high dash butterfly retains him on this article. Moreover, he additionally has a formidable 200 breast time. Actually, breaststroke is the place he has improved probably the most since final season, dropping from a time of two:01.23 to 1:58.56. He additionally dropped over two seconds within the 200 IM.
17. Gavin Keogh— Flatiron Athletic Membership — Monarch Excessive Faculty — Erie, CO **Verbally dedicated to NC State** (Earlier Rank: HM)
Finest Instances:
- 100 again: 47.28
- 200 again: 1:42.88
- 200 IM: 1:49.74
- 400 IM: 3:54.8o
Final yr, Keogh was labeled as a one-trick pony who was solely good on the 200 again. It’s nonetheless his finest occasion, as he’s the second-fastest swimmer in his class for the occasion. However now his 100 again time—which he improved from 48.88 to 47.28 in a yr—is powerful in comparison with the remainder of his classmates as properly, with solely three swimmers being higher than him. This 100 again time offers him added relay worth, and in addition makes him probably the greatest all-around backstrokers of his yr.
Keogh’s IM instances are nowhere close to his backstroke instances, however his improvement in them over the course of a yr open up the potential for him so as to add a 3rd occasion.
16. Ethan Ekk — Space Tallahassee Aquatic Membership — Lawton Chiles Excessive Faculty — Tallahassee, FL (Earlier Rank: 19)
Finest Instances:
- 200 free: 1:35.66
- 500 free: 4:19.35
- 1000 free: 8:56.73
- 200 again: 1:43.81
- 200 IM: 1:48.54
- 400 IM: 3:49.26
Ekk snuck into the highest 20 final yr due to his lengthy course achievements, however now his quick course resume alone deserves inclusion on this checklist. He stands out as one of many high mid-distance swimmers within the class after considerably bettering in freestyle (even given how deep it’s), on condition that his 200 free time is simply 0.05 seconds slower than Thiesing’s and that he has a sub-4:20 500 free. However to enrich his mid-distance skills, he’s additionally received a robust 200 again time that ranks high ten within the class, making for an excellent third occasion. He’s additionally received promising IM instances, additional proving his versatility.
15. Crash Ackerly — Nova of Virginia Aquatics — Maggie L. Walker Governors Faculty — Richmond, VA **Verbally dedicated to Yale** (Earlier Rank: N/A)
Finest Instances:
- 100 again: 47.57
- 200 again: 1:42.89
- 100 fly: 47.96
- 200 IM: 1:47.73
Ackerly got here out of nowhere this yr, going from somebody who was not talked about in our earlier rankings to being a top-20 ranked swimmer. Like Keogh, he’s one of many class’s high total backstrokers, being considered one of simply three swimmers to go sub-1:43 within the 200 again. He additionally dropped over a second in his 100 again and practically two seconds in his 100 fly, making him a multi-stroke sprinting menace that might be very priceless on Yale relays — particularly within the Ivy League, the place there should not that many tremendous high-level recruits like him coming in in contrast t0 Energy 5 colleges. To cap issues off, he’s received an awesome 200 IM, which supplies him an occasion to swim on day considered one of championship meets if he doesn’t wish to do a 100 back-100 fly double.
14. Campbell McKean— Bend Swim Membership — Caldera Excessive Faculty — Bend, OR **Verbally dedicated to USC** (Earlier Rank: 14)
Finest Instances:
- 100 fly: 48.00
- 200 fly: 1:46.75
- 200 IM: 1:44.23
- 400 IM: 3:46.55
- 100 breast: 53.36
- 200 breast: 1:59.63
- 200 free: 1:39.85
McKean earned the No. 14 rank final yr by advantage of being a high two-distance butterflier. He’s barely improved within the 100 and 200 fly since then, however he retains his spot as a result of he’s now turn into sturdy IMer as properly. Each his 200 and 400 IM instances rank fourth within the class, and he notably dropped practically six seconds within the latter occasion. He additionally developed a standout 100 breast day trip of nowhere, bettering from 57.18 to 53.36 to rank because the third quickest swimmer within the class (plus, he’s additionally received a sub-two minute 200 breast).
Final yr, we talked about that McKean’s 30.3 breaststroke break up in his finest 200 IM time then (1:46.77) indicated that he might most likely be a lot sooner than 57.18 within the 100 breast. And it seems, we had been proper. His 28.99 breaststroke break up from his present 200 IM finest is otherworldly — just one swimmer within the NCAA ‘A’ closing outsplit him in that stroke.
13. Blake Amlicke — Nashville Aquatic Membership — Pope John Paul II Excessive Faculty — Clarksville, TN **Verbally dedicated to Virginia** (Earlier Rank: N/A)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 19.99
- 100 free: 43.63
- 100 again: 46.62
- 200 again: 1:43.77
In a category that’s weak within the sprints, Amlicke stands out. He’s not solely considered one of 5 swimmers within the class to have a sub-20 and sub-44 50 and 100 free, however he’s additionally a high ten 200 backstroker and the second-fastest 100 backstroker within the class. Actually, Williamson is barely 0.4 seconds sooner than him within the occasion, which is a smaller margin than different swimmers who rank third or second within the class behind swimmers like Heilman and Williamson.
Amlicke’s skillset makes him good for a number of relays, and has him becoming a member of a protracted checklist of Virginia sprinting recruits headed to the college within the subsequent few years.
12. Noah Cakir — Workforce Suffolk Swim Membership — Saint Anthony’s Excessive Faculty — Deer Park, NY **Verbally Dedicated to Indiana** (Earlier Rank: BOTR)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 53.28
- 200 breast: 1:55.09
- 100 free: 44.86
- 200 free: 1:37.72
- 500 free: 4:25.98
- 200 IM: 1:45.32
- 400 IM: 3:47.12
What number of high breaststrokers are additionally good at distance freestyle? Not many, however Cakir is one. Prior to now yr, he’s developed into the clear-cut second-best breaststroker in his class, rating solely behind Josh Bey within the 100 and 200 breast. Nonetheless, not like most breaststrokers, he’s extraordinarily versatile and may swim from the 100 as much as the five hundred free as properly. As well as, he’s additionally received the sixth-fastest 200 IM within the class and a sub-3:50 400 IM. It is a large distinction from final yr, the place his solely standout occasions had been breaststroke and the five hundred free. Now, he’s received vary that isn’t seen by many different swimmers.
11. Max Carlsen — Las Vegas Swim Membership — Palo Verde Excessive Faculty — Las Vegas, NV **Verbally dedicated to NC State** (Earlier Rank: BOTR)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 14:59.44
- 1000 free: 8:57.77
- 500 free: 4:18.87
- 200 free: 1:37.06
- 400 IM: 3:55.24
Now we get to our lengthy checklist of high distance swimmers within the class, beginning off with Carlsen. He’s considered one of 4 (!!!) swimmers to have a 1500 free time underneath quarter-hour on this article, and is only a few seconds away from qualifying for NCAAs. As well as, he’s received the fifth-fastest 500 free time within the class and a formidable 200 free time that can make him a priceless asset for the 800 free relay. It appears unfair to place him this excessive when there are such a lot of swimmers sooner than him, however his instances in itself are too exhausting to disregard as he’s getting nearer and nearer to being an instantaneous influence faculty swimmer as a excessive schooler.
10. Marvin Johnson— McCallie GPS Aquatics — McCallie Faculty — Chattanooga, TN **Verbally dedicated to Florida** (Earlier Rank: 6)
Finest Instances:
- 50 free: 19.56
- 100 free: 43.31
- 200 free: 1:38.28
- 100 fly: 48.95
Johnson is the quickest sprinter on this class not named Heilman or Williamson (what number of extra instances are we going to say this?), and his 50 free time is—as soon as once more— practically three-tenths away from the fourth-fastest 50 freestyler in his yr. We’ve spoken many instances about how vital relay worth is within the NCAA and it’s clear that Johnson will make Florida very comfortable together with his skills. That being stated, his 200 free appears to have developed into his third occasion somewhat than the 100 fly, as he dropped over a second within the former occasion however stayed stagnant within the latter.
9. Thomas Mercer — Lakeside Swim Workforce (KY) — Saint Xavier Excessive Faculty — Louisville, KY**Verbally dedicated to Virginia** (Earlier Rank: 8)
Finest Instances:
- 200 IM: 1:43.74
- 400 IM: 3:46.31
- 100 again: 47.71
- 200 again: 1:44.30
- 100 fly: 47.70
- 200 fly: 1:44.62
- 100 breast: 55.42
- 200 breast: 2:02.33
- 200 free: 1:38.77
Mercer stays the third-best IMer within the class behind (let’s say it once more) Heilman and Williamson, having gotten considerably higher in each the 200 and 400 IM inside the previous yr. Actually, his 200 IM time is now inside 1% of the NCAA ‘A’ lower, and makes him simply considered one of three swimmers within the class to go underneath the 1:44 barrier within the occasion.
Final yr, we stated that Mercer was one of many few recruits that had been sturdy in all 4 strokes, and that he might simply be a relay menace if he dropped a second in all his 100s. He solely did so within the 100 fly and 100 again, however that’s ok. Nonetheless, he does appear to pattern towards being a mid-distance swimmer, together with his 200 again and 200 fly instances being precisely the identical. Actually, what offers him the leg up to enter the highest ten once more is that 200 fly time, as solely Heilman is quicker than him within the occasion.
8. Josh Bey — Highland Hurricanes Swim Membership — Hinsdale Central Excessive Faculty — Hinsdale, IL **Verbally dedicated to Indiana** (Earlier Rank: 9)
Finest Instances:
- 100 breast: 52.98 (finest in school)
- 200 breast: 1:54.34 (finest in school)
- 200 IM: 1:44.89
- 400 IM: 3:50.09
Even when his fellow breaststroker classmates like Cakir and Willis have made vital jumps, Bey stays the highest breaststroker within the class by a fair larger margin this yr. He’s the one swimmer to have a sub-53 100 breast and sub-1:55 200 breast, and he dropped practically three seconds from 1:57.31 to 1:54.34 within the latter occasion simply this yr. After main the category by lower than 0.15 seconds in each breaststroke occasions, he’s now unquestionably on high.
Bey has developed right into a typical breaststroker than swims the 200 IM as a 3rd occasion, posting the fifth-fastest time in his class for the occasion. He’s an ideal match for Indiana, the place he’ll proceed the custom of sturdy breaststrokers competing for the college.
7. Sean Inexperienced — Lengthy Island Aquatic Membership — Archbishop Molloy Excessive Faculty — Backyard Metropolis, NY **Verbally dedicated to Georgia** (Earlier Rank: 5)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 14:57.10
- 500 free: 4:18.63
- 200 free: 1:36.20
- 200 again: 1:45.31
- 200 fly: 1:47.78
- 200 IM: 1:47.91
- 400 IM: 3:47.06
Inexperienced didn’t enhance within the mile, however it doesn’t matter due to how good he’s within the occasion. The primary 15-year-old to interrupt quarter-hour within the occasion is sort of two seconds off of NCAA qualification, and ranks because the fifth-fastest swimmer within the class with a time that will have topped the 2024 and 2023 junior rankings. As well as, he additionally dropped two seconds in his 500 free to rank fourth for his class in that occasion, in addition to a second within the 200 free.
Final yr, Inexperienced noticed huge development within the 200 again and 200 fly. He hasn’t improved in both occasion this season, however as a substitute developed within the IMs. He dropped a second within the 400 IM and from 1:51.65 to 1:47.91 within the 200 IM, permitting him so as to add one other occasion to his already versatile repertoire.
6. William Mulgrew — Shamwut Aquatic Membership — Xavieran Brothers Excessive Faculty — Walpole. MA **Verbally dedicated to Harvard** (Earlier Rank: BOTR)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 14:48.25
- 500 free: 4:21.56
- 400 IM: 3:54.23
Mulgrew is the lowest-ranked swimmer on this class to have an NCAA-qualification-worthy time, and it’s within the 1650 free. Since final yr, he’s improved over 30 (!!!) seconds within the occasion, and he now ranks because the fourth-fastest swimmer of all-time within the 15-16 age group. As well as, his time would have completed second on the Ivy League Championships and 18th at NCAAs — lower than a second off scoring territory. Any such resume in only one occasion is nice sufficient to have him ranked this excessive, and makes up for him having not pretty much as good of a 500 free time in comparison with a few of his different classmates.
That being stated, Mulgrew’s 500 free nonetheless has a tone of upside. He improved from a time of 4:26.93 to 4:21.56 in a yr, and would doubtless be a high swimmer in his class for the occasion if it weren’t for the ridiculous distance depth of this yr.
5. Jason Zhao— Mason Manta Rays — Indian Hill Excessive Faculty — Cincinnati, OH (Earlier Rank: 10)
Finest Instances:
- 500 free: 4:19.96
- 200 free: 1:33.61
- 100 free: 43.46
- 50 free: 20.09
- 200 breast: 1:59.17
- 100 free: 53.64
- 200 IM: 1:46.11
Zhao stands out for a similar motive that he stood out final yr, having freestyle prowess starting from a close to sub-20 50 free to a sub-4:20 500 free. However now, he’s a high 5 recruit due to his 200 free time, which he improved from a 1:36.16 to a 1:33.61 within the span of a yr and makes him the third-fastest swimmer within the class. That 200 free time sits lower than a second away from NCAA qualification, and would make him near the highest of the category (or on high of the category) in some other yr. As well as, he’s developed fast breaststroke velocity as properly, rating because the fifth-fastest swimmer in his yr. The identical goes for the 200 IM, the place he’s dropped from 1:52.36 to 1:46.11 — he might doubtlessly use that occasion as a day one NCAAs occasion somewhat than the 50 or 500 free if he needs to.
Along with being an excellent quick course swimmer, Zhao additionally has large lengthy course upside. He clocked 48.64/1:47.56 100 and 200 free splits at Junior Worlds final yr, and is a part of a bunch of American male swimmers who might doubtlessly shine on the 2028 Olympics.
4. Nathan Szobota — NOVA Of Virginia — Freeman Excessive Faculty — Richmond, VA **Verbally dedicated to Notre Dame** (Earlier Rank: 4)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 14:53.83
- 1000 free: 8:50.44
- 500 free: 4:18.38
- 200 free: 1:36.93
- 200 again: 1:43.85
- 100 again: 47.93
- 400 IM: 3:49.93
Like Inexperienced, Szobota hasn’t improved all yr in his main occasions, however he’s nonetheless one of many top-ranked swimmers in his class. He’s received an NCAA-qualification-worthy mile that has him ranked tenth within the U.S. 15-16 age group, the second-fastest 1000 free within the class, and the third-fastest 500 free time within the class (eleventh all-time within the 15-16 age group). Nonetheless, he hasn’t been completely stagnant. He dipped underneath 1:37 for the primary time within the 200 free, and in addition developed sturdy backstroke instances. Within the 100 again, he dropped from 50.24 to 47.93, after which within the 200 again he dropped from 1:46.26 to 1:43.85. Each his progressions within the 200 free and backstrokes enhance his vary, in addition to his relay worth.
3. Luke Ellis — Sandpipers Of Nevada — Homeschooled — Las Vegas, NV **Verbally dedicated to Indiana** (Earlier Rank: 3)
Finest Instances:
- 1650 free: 14:29.48 (finest in school)
- 1000 free: 8:45.19 (finest in school)
- 500 free: 4:17.02
- 400 IM: 3:45.21
- 200 again: 1:46.17
- 200 fly: 1:47.23
Now, we go from the elite prospects to the generational prospects. And we begin off with the quickest highschool miler in American historical past.
Ellis’ 1650 free time isn’t solely practically seven seconds sooner than what any excessive schooler has gone, however it additionally would have gained NCAAs this yr by over a second. What number of highschool male recruits are available and turn into immediate title threats? In some other yr, this time alone would have made him the No. 1 recruit in his class by a landslide, however sadly, he must be positioned behind a literal Olympian and a man who leads his class in seven totally different occasions.
As well as, Ellis has additionally developed different occasions to enrich his mile. He’s dropped three seconds in his 500 free and isn’t far off Williamson’s class-leading time, and he’s additionally received a 400 IM time that solely the 2 guys in entrance of him can beat. He might not be as versatile as the longer term Virginia duo, however after we discuss how good this 2025 class is, he must be in the identical dialog as them.
2. Thomas Heilman — Piedmont Household YMCA — Western Albemarle Excessive Faculty — Crozet, VA **Verbally dedicated to Virginia** (Earlier Rank: 1)
Finest Instances:
- 100 fly: 44.67 (finest in school)
- 200 fly: 1:40.73 (finest in school)
- 50 free: 19.24 (finest in school)
- 100 free: 42.00
- 200 free: 1:32.46
- 500 free: 4:19.00
- 200 IM: 1:41.41
- 400 IM: 3:43.63
It feels completely absurd to be placing a 17-year-old Olympian and a man who’s the quickest highschool butterflier of all-time at No. 2. However that’s the place we’re proper now.
Heilman completely deserves his flowers for the explanations acknowledged above. He solely noticed incremental enhancements in his finest three occasions (the 100 fly, 200 fly, and 200 IM) this yr, however it doesn’t even matter as a result of he’s nonetheless able to ‘B’ finaling at NCAAs in all three occasions. As well as, he additionally developed NCAA qualification-worthy instances within the 100 and 200 free relay, and a 50 free time that continues to rank first in his class. With these sprinting instances, he’ll be capable to get on Virginia’s relays as quickly as he units foot on campus.
On the finish of the day, Heilman might be favored to closing and possibly even medal on the Olympic video games, so his quick course yards recruit rating might be a mere smudge on his resume. However for causes we’re going to go over beneath, we needed to put his future teammate at No. 1.
1. Maximus Williamson — Lakeside Aquatic Membership — Keller Excessive Faculty — Southlake, TX **Verbally dedicated to Virginia** (Earlier Rank: 2)
Finest Tmes:
- 400 IM: 3:39.83 (finest in school)
- 200 IM: 1:40.81 (finest in school)
- 500 free: 4:16.84 (finest in school)
- 200 free: 1:31.37 (finest in school)
- 100 free: 41.84 (finest in school)
- 200 again: 1:40.88 (finest in school)
- 100 again: 46.29 (finest in school)
- 200 fly: 1:44.84
- 50 free: 19.45
Williamson was already a generational recruit final yr, however in some way, he managed to make a much bigger soar than anybody else this previous season.
Now, Williamson is the quickest excessive schooler of all-time within the 200 IM, 200 free, and 100 free, in addition to the third-fastest excessive schooler of all-time within the 400 IM. As well as, he’s received different class-leading instances within the 500 free, 200 again, and 100 again. He’s received 4 instances—the 400 IM, 200 IM, 200 free, and 100 free—worthy of NCAA qualification in 2024 (and he’s shut within the 200 again). If he competed at NCAAs this yr, he would have completed eighth within the 200 free, sixth within the 400 IM, and seventh within the 200 IM. And so as to add on, he’s the second-fastest 50 freestyler and third-fastest 200 flyer within the class.
These are online game instances from Williamson. Final yr, Heilman had had benefit on him due to his sprinting skills, however that’s not a difficulty anymore for Williamson due to his 100 free. There may be not a single swimmer on this class who is ready to instantly influence throughout a number of occasions the way in which he’s in a position to, and for that motive, he’s our high recruit within the class of 2025.
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:
