NEW COMMIT: Folsom, Calif. native and quickly-improving sprinter Mara Allen will stay in state next fall after verbally committing to the University of California, Berkeley.
Allen, who owns a pair of Winter Juniors standards, does her club swimming with Sierra Marlins Swim Team and most recently raced three events at Junior Nationals. Last winter, she recorded a trio of best times at Juniors West and finished 12th in the 500 free at Carlsbad Speedo Sectionals before going on to earn gold in that event at Far Westerns. Also competing for Vista del Lago High School, Allen placed ninth in the 50 free and 14th in the 100 free at the CIF State Championships during her sophomore season.
She told Swimming World:
“I’m honored to have opportunity to be able to swim with such an amazing group of girls and continue my academic career at such a high level institution. I’m very grateful for my family as well as my current teammates and coaches for helping me achieve more than I could’ve ever imagined. I cannot wait to make UC Berkeley my home. Go Bears!”
Her best times include:
- 50 free – 23.37
- 100 free – 50.67
- 200 free – 1:49.43
- 500 free – 4:53.21
- 200 IM – 2:05.58
- 100 back – 56.13
- 100 fly – 57.45
Allen has made major improvements over the past two seasons, dropping over a second in the 50 free, three in the 100 free, eight in the 200 free, 44 in the 500 free and 16 in the 200 IM. She will join Isabelle Stadden, Gracie Felner, Nicole Oliva and Téa Laughlin in the Bears’ class of 2024.
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