Here’s a story that will make any aspiring swimmer’s heart race: Mia Su, ranked #20 in the nation, has just verbally committed to the University of California, Berkeley, for the 2027-28 season. But here’s where it gets even more exciting—this rising star from Sunnyvale, California, isn’t just a talented athlete; she’s also a dedicated student ready to take on the academic and athletic challenges of one of the country’s top universities. In her own words, shared on social media, Mia expressed her gratitude and excitement: ‘I am so grateful and honored to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic journey at the University of California, Berkeley. A huge thank you to my family, friends, and coaches at Santa Clara Swim Club, especially Coach Kevin, for their unwavering support. And to the Cal coaching staff—thank you for making this dream a reality. Go Bears!! 🐻💙💛’
Mia, a junior at Archbishop Mitty High School, is a year-round swimmer with Santa Clara Swim Club, specializing in breaststroke and individual medley (IM). Her talent was evident early on, earning her the #20 spot on SwimSwam’s Way Too Early list of top recruits from the high school class of 2027. At the time of her ranking, she was the 4th-fastest 100/200 breaststroker in her class and 7th in the 400 IM—impressive stats that hint at her potential.
Her 2024-25 short-course season was nothing short of remarkable. At the SMST Folsom Classic in November, she notched personal bests (PBs) in the 50/100 free, 200 breast, 100 fly, and 200/400 IM. A month later, at Winter Juniors West, she continued her streak, improving her times in the 200 breast (2:12.65) and 400 IM (4:16.17), and adding a new PB in the 100 breast (1:00.86). She also made finals in the 100 breast (11th), 200 breast (12th), and 400 IM (11th). And if that wasn’t enough, in February, she shaved another 1.4 seconds off her 400 IM time.
During her high school season, Mia dominated the pool as a sophomore, winning the 100 breast (1:00.96) and placing 4th in the 200 IM (2:01.89) at the CIF-Central Coast Section Championships. She then advanced to the California State Meet, where she finished 2nd in the 100 breast (1:01.00) and 14th in the 200 IM (2:03.81).
Her long-course season was equally impressive, culminating in PBs of 32.48 and 2:28.82 in the 50 and 200 breast, respectively, at Summer Junior Nationals. She placed 3rd in the 200 breast, 10th in the 100 breast, 14th in the 50 breast (prelims), and 18th in the 400 IM.
Mia’s best short-course yards (SCY) times are:
- 100 breast: 1:00.86
- 200 breast: 2:12.25
- 400 IM: 4:14.71
- 200 IM: 2:01.07
These times are no small feat—they’d already score in the ‘C’ finals of the 100/200 breast and 400 IM at the ACC Championships. To put it in perspective, it took a time of 1:58.69 to earn a second swim in the 200 IM at the 2025 conference meet. And this is the part most people miss: Mia’s commitment to Cal’s class of 2031 is technically the first from a top 20-ranked recruit, though the #2 recruit, Rylee Erisman, has reclassified to the class of 2026 to start at Cal a year earlier.
Mia will join fellow commit Alba Arnall, a standout butterflyer, as part of Cal’s promising future. Her journey is a testament to hard work, passion, and the support of a dedicated community. But here’s a thought-provoking question for you: With swimmers like Mia and Rylee leading the charge, is Cal poised to dominate collegiate swimming in the coming years? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This exciting news is brought to you by Fitter and Faster Swim Camps, the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream pursued with unwavering dedication. Fitter and Faster is honored to celebrate these athletes and the coaches, families, and friends who support them along the way. If you have a commitment to share, send an email with a photo and a quote to [emailprotected].
About Fitter and Faster Swim Camps: These camps offer innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels, led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a camp near you. Follow them on Instagram (@fitterandfasterswimtour), Facebook (@fitterandfastertour), and Twitter (@fitterandfaster) to stay updated.
About Anne Lepesant: Anne, the mother of four daughters who all swam in college, brings a unique perspective to swim reporting. With a Princeton undergraduate degree and an INSEAD MBA, her background in finance and passion for swimming make her a trusted voice in the swimming community. Learn more about Anne at SwimSwam.
