Freestyler Nola Waldbuesser Hands Princeton Tigers 2028 Verbal Commitment
NEW COMMIT: Princeton University has received a verbal commitment* for Fall 2028 from Nola Waldbuesser of Philadelphia, Pa. Waldbuesser is a Junior National qualifier who excels in middle-distance freestyle.
She will join Clara Young in New Jersey as a member of the Tigers’ Class of 2032.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process at Princeton University! Thank you so much to my family, friends, teammates, and all of the coaches at SSC for helping me get here. I would also like to give a huge thank you to Coach Abby and Coach Joe at Princeton for giving me this amazing opportunity. Go Tigers!!! 🐅🧡🖤”
Waldbuesser, who trains year-round with Suburban Seahawks Club, finished fifth in the 100m free, sixth in the 200m free and 16th in the 400m free at NCSA Summer Championships after winning the 50m free at Middle Atlantic Long Course Seniors. Last winter, she earned five top-10 finishes at the NCAP Katie Ledecky Invitational before going on to take seventh in the 200 free and eighth in the 500 free at NCSA Spring Championships.
Her best times include:
- 100 free – 49.76
- 200 free – 1:48.09
- 500 free – 4:51.17
- 1000 free – 10:03.72
- 1650 free – 16:56.67
Currently a junior at William Penn Charter School, Waldbuesser earned gold in the 200 free and silver in the 500 free at the 2026 Eastern Interscholastic Swimming Championship. She took first and third, respectively, in those events as a freshman in 2025. Waldbuesser has garnered USA Swimming and NISCA All-American honors.
Princeton won its fourth consecutive Ivy League title in 2026. It was also the Tigers’ 28th conference title total, which is the most of any Ivy program.
Waldbuesser’s best times in the 100/200/500 free are already fast enough to have scored in the B-final at last year’s conference meet.
*IVY LEAGUE DISCLAIMER:* A “verbal commitment” does not guarantee admission. An Ivy League coach cannot guarantee admission but can only commit support in the admissions process.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
