Cal Picks Up Four 2025 Verbals From Kenneth Barnicle, Caiden Bowers, Norvin Clonts & Ian Platts-Mills
NEW COMMIT: The University of California, Berkeley has received four big verbal commitments for Fall 2025 from Kenneth Barnicle, Caiden Bowers, Norvin Clontz and Ian Platts-Mills.
The four standouts will join Andrew Shackell as members of the Golden Bears’ Class of 2029.
KENNETH BARNICLE
Photo Courtesy: Kenneth Barnicle
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am very excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of California, Berkeley. I want to thank my family, coaches and teammates for helping me to get where I am today. I am honored to be a part of the Berkeley family. GO BEARS!!!”
Barnicle is from Menham, New Jersey, and attends West Morris Mendham High School. He does his club swimming with Greater Somerset County YMCA.
This past summer, he earned gold in the 200m back, silver in the 400m IM/100m back and bronze in the 200m IM/100m free at YMCA Long Course Nationals. He finaled in both backstroke events at Juniors East last December and won the 100m/200m back at Richmond Sectionals.
His best times include:
- 200 back – 1:44.99
- 100 back – 48.20
- 200 IM – 1:48.92
- 400 IM – 3:57.51
CAIDEN BOWERS
Photo Courtesy: Caiden Bowers
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am beyond grateful and excited to announce my commitment to swim and study at the University of California, Berkeley! I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for all of their support in this process. I would also like to thank all of the coaches at Cal for giving me this incredible opportunity. GO BEARS!”
A native of Marriottsville, Maryland, Bowers does his club swimming with Eagle Swim Team and attends McDonogh School where he is the state record holder in the 100 fly.
He earned bronze in the 50m breast and took fifth in the 100m breast this past summer at the NCSA LCM Championships. He posted four top-10 finishes at NCSA SCY Championships back in March after winning five events at Maryland Seniors, also taking 16th in the 100 fly and 17th in the 100 breast at Juniors East.
His best times include:
- 100 fly – 47.96
- 200 fly – 1:49.79
- 100 breast – 54.70
- 200 breast – 2:01.23
- 200 IM – 1:48.79
NORVIN CLONTZ
Photo Courtesy: Norvin Clontz
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic endeavors at the University of California, Berkeley! I am greatly appreciative to Coach Dave and the rest of Cal’s coaching staff for believing in me and providing me with this prestigious opportunity, as well as the Cal men’s team for welcoming me into a place I can call home. This is only possible due to the unwavering support of my loving parents, committed coaches, and highly spirited teammates. August of 2025 can’t come soon enough!”
Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Clontz does his club swimming with SwimMAC Carolina and is a junior at Charlotte Latin School where he is a three-time state champion.
Clontz competed for Team USA at the World Junior Championships where he placed seventh in the 400m free. He placed 16th in that event as well as 17th in the 800m free at Phillips 66 Nationals. He also took fourth in the 500 free, sixth in the 400 IM, 10th in the mile, 13th in the 200 free and 13th in the 200 free at Juniors East in 2022.
His best times include:
- 1650 free – 15:14.12
- 500 free – 4:19.43
- 200 free – 1:37.28
- 400 IM – 3:50.44
- 200 breast – 2:00.39
IAN PLATTS-MILLS
Photo Courtesy: Ian Platts-Mills
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am super excited and honored to announce my commitment to swim and study at the University of California, Berkeley! I would like that thank my coaches, my teammates, and my amazing parents and family. Also, thank you to the Cal coaches for granting me this opportunity. Go Bears!”
Platts-Mills is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He trains year-round with North Carolina Aquatic Club and attends Durham Academy.
This past summer, he took sixth in both the 400m IM and 800m free at NCSA LCM Championships with six additional top-24 finishes. He earned silver in the 500 free and mile as well as bronze in the 1000 free at North Carolina Seniors in February before going on to win the mile at Christiansburg Sectionals.
His best times include:
- 400 IM – 3:53.42
- 200 IM – 1:52.23
- 1650 free – 15:39.65
- 1000 free – 9:16.92
- 500 free – 4:30.86
- 200 free – 1:41.57
- 200 back – 1:52.36
- 200 fly – 1:53.84
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
