Cal Golden Bears Pick Up In-State Breaststroker Preston Niayesh

Photo Courtesy: Preston Niayesh

NEW COMMIT: Visalia, Calif. native Preston Niayesh has announced his verbal commitment to stay in-state and swim for the University of California – Berkeley as a member of the class of 2023.

Niayesh swims year-round with Tule Nation Tritons and owns Winter Nationals cuts in both breaststroke events. He raced the 100 breast and 200 breast at Junior Nationals this summer after finishing fourth and ninth, respectively, in those events at Santa Clarita Speedo Sectionals. He swam two lifetime bests at Carlsbad Speedo Sectionals in March and also raced at Juniors West last winter.

Niayesh represented El Diamante High School at the CIF State Championships where he finished 18th in the 100 breast during both his sophomore and junior seasons. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American has improved tremendously over the past two seasons, shaving of nearly three seconds from his 100 breast and seven from his 200.

He told Swimming World:

“I am so thankful and blessed to have verbally committed to the Cal Men’s Swimming Team! This is a childhood dream for me, and I cannot thank my family, coaches, and friends enough for encouraging me every step of the way to chase my dreams. I am so excited to join the Berkeley family, and I cannot wait to see what I can do as a Golden Bear. #GOBEARS!!!”

His best times include:

100 breast – 56.92
200 breast – 2:06.99
100 fly – 51.76
200 IM – 1:58.61

Niayesh will add valuable breaststroke depth for the Golden Bears when he arrives on campus for the 2019-20 season following the graduation of NCAA runner-up and Pac-12 champion Connor Hoppe. Under head coach Dave Durden, Cal won last season’s conference meet.

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