By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam
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High school junior Kai Joyner from Rochester, Minnesota, SwimSwam’s #1 recruit in the high school class of 2028, has announced his verbal commitment to the University of California, Berkeley, writing:
“I am extremely blessed and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of California, Berkeley. First and foremost, I want to thank God, because none of this would be possible without Him. I also want to thank my friends and family for their tremendous support throughout this process, along with Coach Amy and everyone else who has helped me get to where I am today. Lastly, I want to thank Coach Dave, Noah, Maya, and the rest of the Cal Swimming & Diving family for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity. GO BEARS! ”
We don’t normally see the #1 recruit topple so quickly, but here he is. Joyner is now the second top 10 recruit from the class of 2028 to announce his commitment to Cal: #9 Grant Bellin made his intention known a week ago.
Joyner swims for Mayo High School and Rochester Swim Club. He is the undisputed best distance freestyler in the class, with cohort-leading times in the 200 free, 500 free, 1000 free, and 1650 free. His mile time is only 3.8 seconds off of what it took to qualify for 2026 NCAAs in the event, and he achieved that time in March 2026, exactly 2.5 years before he will even step foot on a college campus.
In high school swimming, the then-sophomore won the 200 free (1:35.05) and 500 free (4:20.78) at the 2026 Minnesota High School Class AA State Championships, setting the Class AA record in the 200 with 1:35.05. He also led off the 400 free relay in a PB of 44.08 and anchored the 200 free relay in 19.80.
A month later, at NCSA Spring Championships, he won the 1650 free with a PB of 14:56.62, was runner-up in the 1000 (8:55.06, PB), won the 500 free (4:17.75, PB), was runner-up in the 200 free (1:34.91, PB). In addition, he came in 10th in the 100 back (48.68, PB), 22nd in the 200 back, and 4th in the 400 IM (3:47.44, PB), and he clocked lifetime bests in the 200 IM in prelims (1:49.56) and the 50 back leading off the medley relay (23.05). His best 200 back time dates from February 2026, when he unleashed a 1:45.73 at the RSC President’s Day Meet. Both his 200 back and 400 IM times rank 3rd in the class.
Joyner had an impressive summer, as well. At U.S. Nationals, he notched PBs in the 200 free (1:48.10), 400 free (3:52.55), 800 free (8:00.86), 1500 free (15:25.08), and 400 IM (4:26.64). He was selected to represent Team USA at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, where he earned a bronze medal in the 200 free (1:48.38). In between the two, he competed at Summer Junior Nationals and updated his lifetime bests in the 100 free (51.03), 400 free (3:52.27), 200 back (2:07.21), and 200 fly (2:03.83).
Best SCY times:
1650 free – 14:56.62 (best in class) 500 free – 4:17.75 (best in class) 200 free – 1:34.91 (best in class) 1000 free – 8:55.06 (best in class) 100 free – 44.08 200 back – 1:45.73 100 back – 48.68 400 IM – 3:47.44 200 IM – 1:49.56Joyner, who made the 2026-27 USA Swimming National Junior Team in the 200/400/800/1500 free, will find an excellent training group in Berkeley with Ryan Erisman and 2027 commit Colin Jacobs, amongst others. His best times would already score at the ACC Championships in the mile (top 8), the 500 free (‘B’ final), and 400 IM (‘C’ final).
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.
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