{"id":475634,"date":"2026-10-24T18:12:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T18:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/475634\/"},"modified":"2026-10-24T18:12:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T18:12:09","slug":"texas-women-score-first-top-20-verbal-commitment-for-2028-from-18-kennedi-southern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/475634\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Women Score First Top 20 Verbal Commitment for 2028 From #18 Kennedi Southern"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps<\/a> is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam\u2019s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.<\/p>\n

Kennedi Southern<\/a>, who hails from Little Elm, Texas, has announced her verbal commitment to the University of Texas for 2028-29, writing on social media:<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a lot of prayer, thought, and conversations with my family, I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Texas at Austin!\ud83e\udd18\ud83c\udffd
This journey has taken years of hard work, and none of it was done alone. To my mom, thank you for every early morning, every mile driven, and every sacrifice you\u2019ve made along the way. Thank you for supporting my goals and teaching me to work with discipline and humility.
To Coach John, Lakeside Aquatic Club, and everyone who has invested in me, thank you for believing in me, pushing me to be better, and helping me grow. And to my teammates and friends, thank you for making this journey so much fun.
To the coaching staff at the University of Texas at Austin, especially Coach Carol, thank you for this incredible opportunity. I am honored and excited to become part of your program.
I am also incredibly grateful to every program that recruited me throughout this process. I have so much respect and appreciation for the time you invested in getting to know me and supporting my journey.
Go Longhorns!\ud83e\udd18\ud83c\udffd\ud83e\udde1\u201d<\/p>\n

Southern swims for Lakeside Aquatic Club and specializes in sprint freestyle. With the 3rd-fastest 100 and 4th-fastest 50 in the cohort, we ranked her #18 on our Way Too Early list of top girls\u2019 swimmers in the high school class of 2028<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At 2025 Winter Juniors West, Southern placed 4th in the 50 free (22.34, PB) and 3rd in the 100 free (48.52, PB). She also competed in the 100 fly and swam legs on LAC\u2019s 4\u00d750 free (22.32), 4\u00d7200 free (1:51.09), 4\u00d750 medley (22.34 free anchor), and 4\u00d7100 medley (54.56 fly) relays.<\/p>\n

Three months later, she notched PBs in the 50 back (25.80) and 50 fly (23.82) at Justin Sectionals. There, she won the 100 free (49.11), was runner-up in the 50 free (22.63) and 50 fly (23.82), and placed 5th in the 100 fly (54.71), 17th in the 50 back (25.80), and 20th in the 100 back (57.17).<\/p>\n

Southern opened 2026 long course season in Fort Lauderdale with PBs in the 50 back (29.94) and 50 fly (26.93). At U.S. National Championships, she placed 19th in the 50 free, 23rd in the 100 free, and 17th in the 50 fly, while notching lifetime bests of 25.30, 55.83, and 26.63 in the respective events. Her performance in Irvine led to her being named to Team USA for the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, where she earned a bronze medal in the 50 fly, placed 11th in the 50 free, and finished 16th in prelims of the 100 free.<\/p>\n

Southern will join 2028 \u201cHonorable Mention\u201d Aubrial MacKay<\/a> in the Texas women\u2019s class of 2032. Both her 50 and 100 free times would have scored in the \u2018B\u2019 finals at the 2026 SEC Championships.<\/p>\n

Best SCY times:<\/p>\n

50 free \u2013 22.34
\n50 free relay split \u2013 22.03
\n100 free \u2013 48.52
\n200 free \u2013 1:50.77
\n100 fly \u2013 54.69
\n100 back \u2013 55.71<\/p>\n

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit\u00a0fitterandfaster.com<\/a>\u00a0to find or request a swim camp near you.<\/p>\n

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