Get ready for an exciting journey as we celebrate the achievements of Hailey Preuss, a true swimming sensation! Hailey's commitment to the University of Pennsylvania for the 2026-2027 academic year is a testament to her talent and dedication. This story is not just about a swim meet; it's about the incredible journey of a young athlete and the impact it can have on her future.
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps, a proud sponsor of SwimSwam's College Recruiting Channel, is thrilled to share this news. Swimming in college is a dream for many, and Fitter and Faster is here to honor these athletes and their supporters.
Hailey Preuss, a hyper-versatile swimmer, has verbally committed to the University of Pennsylvania, a Division I swimming powerhouse in the Ivy League. In her own words, she's "beyond excited and grateful" for this opportunity. She thanked her coaches, swim club mentors, and high school coach for their unwavering support. Hailey also expressed gratitude to her family and friends, who have been by her side throughout her swimming journey.
Currently a senior at Menlo Atherton High School in California, Hailey has been a standout member of her school's varsity swimming and diving team since her freshman year. She's not just a talented swimmer; she's a well-rounded one, excelling in breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle, and IM events.
Hailey's recent performances have been nothing short of impressive. Over the past year, she set new personal bests in six out of her eight best events. Her improvements are remarkable, especially in the 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard butterfly, and 200-yard freestyle. But here's where it gets controversial... some might argue that her most impressive drop was in the 200-yard breaststroke, where she shaved off several tenths of a second!
At the 2025 Winter Junior Championships – West, Hailey posted personal bests in the 400 IM and 200 breaststroke, finishing in impressive positions. She also placed highly in other events, showcasing her versatility. Just a week later, she competed at the ALTO Candy Cane Classic, winning the 100-yard freestyle with her current best time.
On the high school circuit, Hailey has been a consistent performer at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) High School State Championships. Last May, as a junior, she made it to the 'B' finals in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle, achieving her current career bests. This was her best performance to date, and she continues to improve year after year.
Hailey's top times in the short course yards (SCY) are truly impressive:
- 100 Breaststroke: 1:02.97
- 200 Breaststroke: 2:16.57
- 100 Butterfly: 56.38
- 200 Butterfly: 2:01.18
- 100 Freestyle: 51.85
- 200 Freestyle: 1:50.43
- 500 Freestyle: 4:54.92
- 200 IM: 2:03.88
- 400 IM: 4:19.83
The University of Pennsylvania, led by head coach Mike Schnur, is an excellent fit for Hailey. The women's team finished fifth at the 2025 conference championships, and based on Hailey's times, she would have made a significant impact right away. She would currently rank highly in several events, and it's exciting to think about the immediate impact she could have on the team.
Hailey will join a breaststroke-heavy recruiting class, including Morgan Knox, Katelynn Zhou, Sophia Gao, and sprinter Allison Liu. This group will undoubtedly push each other to new heights over the next four years.
Remember, a verbal commitment to an Ivy League school is a significant step, but it's important to note that it's not an offer of admission. The Ivy League Admission Offices have specific processes, and Likely Letters are issued after a thorough review of the student's application.
We can't wait to see what the future holds for Hailey Preuss at the University of Pennsylvania. Her journey is an inspiration to all young athletes, and we encourage you to share your thoughts and well-wishes in the comments below. Are you excited about Hailey's future in college swimming? What do you think her biggest impact will be on the team? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
