World Junior Champion Rylee Erisman Commits to Cal; Will Graduate Early
Rylee Erisman has given her verbal commitment to Cal, and she will graduate early to join the Golden Bears. Erisman announced her commitment and her reclassification to the class of 2026 on social media.
“I’m honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of California, Berkeley. I would also like to announce I will be reclassifying to the graduating class of 2026. I’m so grateful for my family, coaches at Laker Swim, and friends who have supported me throughout this journey. A special thank you to all the coaching staff at CAL! I could not be more excited for this opportunity! GO BEARS,” Erisman wrote.
Erisman, 16, has already shined on the international stage. She made history by winning five gold medals and eight total medals at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Romania, the most total medals anyone has won at World Juniors. Erisman won gold in the 50 free (24.70) and 100 free (52.79) and added three more titles in the 400 free relay (3:35.53, world junior record), 400 medley relay (3:59.85) and mixed 400 free relay (3:26.03). She also took the silver in the 200 free (1:56.76), and in the 800 free (7:52.82) and mixed 400 medley (3:46.12) relay.
Erisman’s performance in the 100 free in Romania made her the first 18-and-under American woman to go under 53. She became the sixth-fastest American of any age in the event, and the time put her at No. 5 in the overall world rankings. Moreover, the qualified Erisman to make her senior-level international debut at next year’s Pan Pacific Championships.
In short course, Erisman broke Gretchen Walsh’s National High School Record in the 100 free with a swim of 46.73 earlier this year, and she finished just off Walsh’s high school mark in the 50 free. She owns the 15-16 NAG records in the 100 free in both courses (46.68 in short course, 52.79 in long course) as well as the 13-14 NAG mark in the long course 50 free (24.98). Her yards best times give Erisman instant scoring potential in the 50, 100 and 200 free on the college level, with further improvements possible before she enrolls at Cal.
.png "ACC Swimming - logo"){kind=logo}