Gamecocks Get Pair of 2028 Verbal Commitments from Harper Church, Kelly Sommer
NEW COMMITS: The University of South Carolina has received a pair of verbal commitments for Fall 2028 from Greenville, S.C. native Harper Church and Kelly Sommer of Collegeville, Pa.
They will join Quinn Beason in Columbia as members of the Gamecocks’ Class of 2032.
Harper Church
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of South Carolina to continue my athletic and academic career. First, I thank God for his many blessings and opportunities he has given me. I also want to thank my family and teammates for supporting me. I want to thank Coach Chris, Coach Carlton, and Coach Karl for believing in me and pushing me in practice. Finally, I want to thank Coach Jeff and the rest of the coaching staff for giving me this incredible opportunity. GO COCKS🤙🤙🤙”
Church does his club swimming with Team Greenville and earned six best times at NCSA Summer Championships where he had top-25 finishes in the 800m free and 1500m free. Last winter, he had seven top-15 finishes at South Carolina Short Course Seniors, highlighted by a fourth-place showing in the mile, fifth in the 500 free and sixth in the 1000 free.
His best times include:
- 200 free – 1:40.84
- 500 free – 4:33.07
- 1000 free – 9:20.09
- 1650 free – 15:45.87
- 100 back – 51.20
- 200 back – 1:48.87
Currently a junior at Eastside High School, Church recently won the 200 free and took second in the 500 free at the 2026 South Carolina 5A State Championships. He also won the 200 free at the state meet in 2025.
Kelly Summer
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am extremely excited and honored to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of South Carolina! First I want to thank my Mom, Dad, and Sister for supporting me throughout this journey and for their endless sacrifices made. Thank you to all of my coaches at MAC, MHS, and UDAC especially Coach Sarah and Coach Tori for developing me into the swimmer I am today! I would also like to thank all of my friends and teammates for pushing me to become the best swimmer I can be. Lastly, I would like to thank Coach Jeff, Coach Jake, and the rest of the coaching staff at South Carolina for giving me this incredible opportunity! Go Cocks! 🤙🐔🔴⚫️”
Sommer does his club swimming with Upper Dublin Aquatic Club and placed fifth in the 50m breast and seventh in the 100m breast at Middle Atlantic Long Course Seniors this past summer before going on to take eighth and sixth, respectively, in those events at Greensboro Futures. Sommer won the 50 breast and earned bronze in the 200 breast at Middle Atlantic Short Course Seniors in March.
His best times include:
- 50 breast – 25.41
- 100 breast – 54.77
- 200 breast – 2:02.94
Currently a junior at Methacton High School, Sommer finished fifth in the 100 breast and 12th in the 200 breast at the 2026 Pennsylvania 3A State Championships.
South Carolina finished 11th at the 2026 Southeastern Conference Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
