NEW COMMITS: The University of California, Berkeley has picked up a pair of verbals for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Kai Crews and Trent Frandson, both of whom announced their commitments via CollegeSwimming. They will suit up for the Bears as members of the class of 2025.
Both swimmers will provide valuable depth for Cal in their respective events. Under head coach Dave Durden, Cal earned their second-straight Pac-12 Championship title and were crowned National Champions after a convincing team win at NCAAs last season.
KAI CREWS
A native of Truckee, Calif., Crews swims year-round with Truckee Tahoe Swim Team and has achieved a total of six Summer Juniors and U.S. Open cuts. While representing the Indonesia Swimming Federation, he raced seven events at the 7th FINA World Junior Championships in Budapest. Last short course season, he was the runner-up in the 200 IM and grabbed bronze in the 50 free at Far Westerns. The NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American earned gold in the 100 free and 100 back during his sophomore season while winning the 100 back and 200 free as a rookie at the Nevada 3A State Championships.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am very happy to join the CAL family starting 2021-22. Go Bears!”
His best times include:
- 50 back – 22.29
- 100 back – 48.69
- 200 back – 1:46.98
- 100 fly – 49.13
- 200 IM – 1:51.92
- 100 free – 44.69
Crews’ versatility will be extremely beneficial for the Bears when he arrives in Berkeley and he could find himself in a number of different events throughout his college career. He would’ve placed in the C-final of both backstroke events as well as the 100 fly at the 2019 Pac-12 Championships.
TRENT FRANDSON
Hailing from Ankeny, Iowa, Frandson does his club swimming with Central Iowa Aquatics and owns the Summer Juniors standard in all six freestyle events. He raced three events at Junior Nationals this past summer after placing fourth in the 200m free at Iowa LCM Seniors. Last winter, the two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American finished fifth in the 500 free and 10th in the mile at Juniors West. A current junior at Ankeny Senior High School, Frandson won the 200/500 free combo as a sophomore while taking fifth and second, respectively, in those events during his freshman season.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to University of California, Berkley to continue my swimming and academic career with an amazing team and coaching staff. I want to thank my family, coaches and friends for all of the support. GO BEARS”
His best times include:
- 50 free – 20.85
- 100 free – 45.14
- 200 free – 1:37.75
- 500 free – 4:23.15
- 1000 free – 9:23.28
- 1650 free – 15:27.58
Even with nearly two years of club swimming still to go before suiting up for the Bears, Frandson will make an immediate impact in their freestyle group. His best time in the mile is already fast enough to score in the top-20 at the Pac-12 Championships while his 200/500 free would’ve placed in the C-final.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.