By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s 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.
Riley Kleinfelder has verbally committed to swim and study at Pepperdine University as a member of the class of 2030. She confirmed the decision in an email to SwimSwam, writing:
I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Pepperdine University! I’m exceptionally thankful for my faith, friends, family, and coaches that have all contributed to make it possible for me to take on this wonderful opportunity. I’m so excited to see where this next chapter takes me and can’t wait to make Malibu my home! Go Waves!
Top SCY Times:
100 Backstroke: 56.46 200 Backstroke: 2:04.03 200 IM: 2:04.84 100 Freestyle: 52.77Kleinfelder hails from The Village of Indian Hill, Ohio, where she attends Saint Ursula Academy and trains year-round with the Mason Manta Rays. She’s a backstroke specialist who is also strong in both the 200 IM and 100 freestyle.
The future Wave had a successful 2024-25 season, improving both of her backstroke bests by about a second as she dropped from 57.44 to 56.46 in the 100 back and from 2:05.04 to 2:04.03 in the 200 back. She really found another gear in the 200 IM, where she started the season with a best time of 2:08.46 and ended at 2:04.84, a massive 3.6-second improvement. Though she rarely raced the 100 free throughout the season, she still managed to drop from 54.98 to 52.77.
Kleinfelder didn’t have a specific target meet throughout the season, as her best times came from various meets. She set her 200 back best at the RAYS City of Mason Invitational in November, her 100 back best at the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) District Championships in February, and her 100 free and 200 IM bests at the MAKO Senior Meet in March.
Throughout her high school career, Kleinfelder has qualified for the OHSAA State meet on two occasions. As a sophomore, she finished 16th in the 200 IM. Last season, she improved to 10th in the 200 IM and also qualified in the 100 back, finishing 19th. While she’s never set any personal bests at the meet, simply making the cuts is an accomplishment in itself.
Pepperdine University has a Division I mid-major swimming program in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) conference. The team placed first at the 2025 women’s conference championships.
At that meet, Kleinfelder’s current best times would have earned her two medals: silver in the 100 back and bronze in the 200 IM. Her 200 back career best would have placed sixth, while her 100 free would have been quick enough to take 14th out of prelims and secure a spot in the ‘B’ final. However, with the 100 free scheduled back-to-back with the 200 back and the three-event individual limit, she’s unlikely to pursue it on an individual basis.
She will still contribute in the 100 free through the Waves’ 400 free relay, as her lifetime best would have ranked fourth on the team’s depth chart last season and is faster than one of the four legs on the bronze medal-winning 400 free relay. Looking at the team’s 2024-25 depth chart more broadly, Kleinfelder would have ranked first in the 100 back and 200 IM, as well as third in the 200 back. With those ahead of her in the 200 back having since graduated, and no incoming recruits faster in any of the three events, she will join the team as their top backstroker and sprint IMer.
Joining Kleinfelder in committing to Pepperdine’s Class of 2030 are sprint freestyler Carlee Davis, distance freestyler Caroline MacDonald, IMer Arden Bewersdorf, and breaststrokers Frankie Ramey and Kat Kracht.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
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 fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour Facebook – @fitterandfastertour Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Backstroke & IM Specialist Riley Kleinfelder Announces Commitment To Pepperdine For Fall 2026
Hence then, the article about backstroke im specialist riley kleinfelder announces commitment to pepperdine for fall 2026 was published today ( ) and is available on swimswam ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Backstroke & IM Specialist Riley Kleinfelder Announces Commitment To Pepperdine For Fall 2026 )
Also on site :
- The End of FaZe Clan? Mass Creator Exodus Rocks Legendary Org
- The hypocritical NFL really doesn’t care about its viewers — even on the holidays
- PUBG Mobile 4.2 Update Release Date And Weapon Balance Changes