The California Golden Bears picked up a big international commit on Monday night with World Juniors silver medalist Robin Hanson of Sweden sending his verbal commitment to Berkeley. Hanson won the silver medal at the 2019 World Juniors in the 200 freestyle behind Georgia freshman Luca Urlando and ahead of Louisville commit Murilo Sartori of Brazil.
Robin Hanson swims for Spårvägen Simförening and is coached by Jenny Gustavsson and Tobbe Hanson. He was the European Junior champ in 2019 in the 200 freestyle, swimming his lifetime best at 1:46.93, which put him 33rd in the world in 2019. The time also put him within a few tenths of the Swedish record of 1:46.76 set all the way back in 1992 by Olympic silver medalist Anders Holmertz.
Hanson was also the silver medalist in the 100 freestyle (49.05) and bronze medalist in the 400 freestyle (3:50.53) at the 2019 European Juniors.
A month later at the World Juniors, Hanson won the bronze in the 100 free (49.25) and reached the final in the 50 free, placing seventh (22.61).
Robin Hanson will be a big boost to a Cal team that won the national championship in 2019, and has placed in the top two each of the last ten seasons. His 100 & 200 freestyle strengths should provide valuable relay depth for the Golden Bears as Cal’s 400 free relay had the second fastest time in 2020, while their 800 free relay was fourth.
He will join Cal’s freshman class in the fall of 2021 alongside Jack Alexy, Kai Crews, Trent Frandson, Gabriel Jett, Michael McGillivray and Jacob Soderlund.
Robin Hanson’s Best Times (LCM)
- 50 free: 22.61
- 100 free: 49.05
- 200 free: 1:46.93
- 400 free: 3:50.53
- 100 fly: 54.14