Junior National Finalist Kaia Li Verbally Commits to Harvard for 2022-23 Season

Photo Courtesy: Kaia Li

NEW COMMIT: U.S. Open qualifier Kaia Li of Menlo Park, Calif. has announced her verbal commitment* to Harvard University as a member of the Crimson’s Class of 2026.

She will join fellow Cali native Sydney Lu in Cambridge at the start of the 2022-23 season.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I’m beyond excited and honored to verbally commit to the admissions process at Harvard University! It is truly a dream come true to be able to continue my academic and athletic career with the Harvard family! I want to thank my parents, sister, coaches, and friends for their unconditional support! GO CRIMSON! ❤️”

A versatile swimmer, Li trains year-round with Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics and finished ninth in the 200m IM at College Station Sectionals last February. At Juniors West in December 2019, she placed 12th in the 400 IM, 13th in the 200 IM, and 20th in the 200 breast.

In Summer 2019, she secured gold in the 200m IM at Far Westerns before going on to record a pair of top-10 finishes at Mount Hood Futures. She also represented Team USA at the 2019 FINA World Cup stop in Berlin where she raced seven different events.

Her best times include:

100 breast – 1:02.97
200 breast – 2:16.32
50 back – 26.03
100 back – 55.79
200 back – 2:01.51
200 IM – 2:01.42
400 IM – 4:19.73

Currently a junior at Sacred Heart Prep High School, Li finished fourth in the 200 IM and 14th in the 100 breast at the CIF State Championships as a freshman. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American also placed third and ninth, respectively, in those events at the CIF Central Coast Section Championships the week prior.

Even with just under two years to go before suiting up for the Crimson in the fall of 2022, Li will make a big impact in a number of events. She would’ve scored in the A-final of the 200/400 IM and 200 breast as well as the B-final of the 100/200 back and 100 breast at the 2020 Ivy League Championships where Harvard was the team runner-up.

*IVY LEAGUE DISCLAIMER:* A “verbal commitment” does not guarantee admission. An Ivy League coach cannot guarantee admission but can only commit support in the admissions process.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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