By Charlotte Wells on SwimSwam
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Colorado high school state champion Oscar Valdez has announced his verbal commitment to swim for Saint Mary’s College of California beginning in the fall of 2027, setting himself up to become conference rivals with his older brother Oliver Valdez, who currently swims for the University of the Pacific.
“I am beyond blessed and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the Division 1 level at Saint Mary’s College of California! First I would like to thank God for the many opportunities He has given me. Next I would like to thank my family and friends for the endless support and a special thanks to Coach Shawn at TOPS, Coach Brett at Mullen, Coach Sheila at YODA, and all the other coaches over the years. I would also like to thank my brother and teammates for pushing me everyday to be the best I can be. Finally, thank you to Coach Ellie, Coach Carter, and Coach Paige at Saint Mary’s for giving me this amazing opportunity. Go Gaels!!”
A senior at JK Mullen High School in Denver, Valdez has been a member of his school’s varsity swimming and diving team since his freshman year. He also currently trains with the University of Denver Hilltoppers, where he primarily specializes in free, breast and IM.
Valdez delivered a strong showing at the 2025 Pioneer Open in December, earning a second swim in four events and posting personal best times in five events. He placed 2nd in the 200 free (1:43.49 – PB), 10th in the 100 free (47.83 – PB) and 200 breast (2:11.54 – PB) and 23rd in the 100 breast (1:01.85) after clocking a lifetime best time of 1:01.29 during prelims. He also contested the 200 IM (2:02.45) and logged a personal best time in the 50 free (22.47) while leading off the 200 free relay.
At the 2026 Four Corners Sectionals in March, Valdez posted a series of fast swims, logging a personal best time in three events. He contested the 100 free (48.15), 200 free (1:44.03), 100 breast (1:00.41 – PB), 200 breast (2:10.01 – PB), 200 IM (2:01.83) and 400 IM (4:16.53). He also set a lifetime best time of 22.23 in the 50 free as the leadoff on the 200 free relay.
Valdez has competed at three consecutive Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) state meets, turning in his top performances at last season’s competition in May. At the 2026 CHSAA Boys 4A State Championships, he took 4th in the 200 free (1:43.47) and 5th in the 100 free (47.23 – PB) [47.13 altitude adjusted]. He also helped his team to victory in the 400 free relay, leading off in a time of 47.25, and to a runner-up finish in the 200 medley relay.
Best Times SCY:
100 breast – 1:00.24 200 breast – 2:10.01 50 free – 22.23 100 free – 47.13 200 free – 1:41.48A Division I Mid-Major program, Saint Mary’s is in its inaugural season and joined the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation ahead of this season, with the men having won two dual meets thus far in the season. Based on the results from the 2026 MPSF Championships, Valdez would have landed in the ‘C’ final in the 100 breast, 200 breast, 100 free and 200 free, giving him a chance to score some points early on for Saint Mary’s.
Valdez started swimming when he was six and will be the second member of his family to compete at the Division I level, following in the footsteps of his brother Oliver. The brothers are the first people in their family to swim competitively.
Joining Valdez in Moraga next fall will be Austin Conover, Kyle Kaufert and Kolby Martin, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
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