NEW COMMIT: UCLA has been forming an incredible recruiting class for the 2022-23 season and beyond, and their latest verbal commitment is their biggest: Beril Böcekler of Ankara, Turkey.
She will join Morganne Malloy, Katrina Bellio, Rosie Murphy, Ava Lachey, Fay Lustria and Courtney Seljeseth as a member of the Bruins’ Class of 2026.
She told Swimming World:
“I’m so thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to further my athletic and academic career at UCLA!!! I chose UCLA because of its strong academics, welcoming team culture and supportive coaches. I’m very grateful for having this opportunity and beyond excited to be part of this amazing team of UCLA Swim and dive. I would like to give a huge thanks to everyone who has helped me throughout this journey, especially my family, friends and coaches. GO BRUINS!!!”
At just 16 years old, Böcekler owns the Turkish national records in the 400m free, 800m free, and 1500m free for both SCM and LCM. At the FINA World Junior Championships in 2019, she placed fourth in the 1500m free, sixth in the 400m free, and seventh in the 800m free.
She has also earned numerous Turkish national titles and was the runner-up in both the 800m free and 1500m free at the 2019 European Junior Championships.
In LCM, her best times include:
- 200m free – 2:00.62
- 400m free – 4:09.61
- 800m free – 8:32.65
- 1500m free – 16:21.39
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 200 free – 1:46.99
- 500 free – 4:39.59
- 1000 free – 9:51.21
- 1650 free – 15:51.53
Böcekler will make a huge impact for UCLA when she arrives on campus in the fall of 2022 as she would’ve been their fastest 500 freestyler last season by eight seconds, as well as their No. 1 miler by over 30 seconds. Her best times, converted to yards, are already faster than the program records in the 500 free and 1650 free.
Her best mile time (converted to yards) would’ve landed her in the runner-up spot at the 2020 Pac-12 Championships, and she would’ve placed seventh at the 2019 NCAA Championships with that time. Her converted 500 free time would’ve met the NCAA invite time as well.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
