National Age Group Record Holder Kaii Winkler Verbally Commits to NC State
NEW COMMIT: NC State has landed a huge verbal commitment for the 2024-25 season from Olympic Trials qualifier Kaii Winkler of Miami, Florida.
Winkler is the current 15-16 National Age Group record holder in the 100 free, becoming the first 15-16-year-old-boy to ever go under 42 seconds with a time if 41.96.
A high school junior, Winkler is one of the top recruits in his class.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am happy to announce my verbal commitment to North Carolina State University! Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches for the continued support throughout this process. I could not have gotten to where I am without them! GO WOLFPACK”
Winkler does his club swimming with Eagle Aquatics and broke the NAG record at the Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships last month where he earned best times in all his events en route to six gold medals.
He first broke age-group record in December at Winter Juniors in 42.21. He’d taken the record from Ryan Hoffer in November by going 42.52 at the Florida 1A High School Championships.
He also owns the 15-16 NAG record in the 100m free, which was done at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale this past March. Winkler posted a time of 48.81 to become the first 15-16 year old to get under the 49-second barrier.
His best times include:
- 50 free – 19.44
- 100 free – 41.96
- 200 free – 1:33.28
- 500 free – 4:23.85
- 100 back – 47.92
- 200 back – 1:45.91
- 100 fly – 46.94
A high school junior who competes for South Florida HEAT (Home Education Athletic Teams), Winkler is working his way into the Olympic conversation among an open men’s sprint field. He competed for the U.S. at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, winning silver in the 50 free (in a tie with Diggory Dillingham). He anchored the winning American men’s 400 free and 400 medley relays, the former of which set a world junior record. The medley relay set a championship record in the meet in Hawaii.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
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