Mid-Distance Freestyler Ries Joos Hands Princeton First 2028 Verbal Commitment
NEW COMMIT: Princeton University has scored its first public verbal commitment* for Fall 2028 from Ries Joo of Singapore. Joo excels in mid-distance freestyle.
Joos represents Belgium on the international stage. He raced the 200m free, 4x100m free relay and 4x200m free relay at the 2026 European Junior Championships this past summer.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am incredibly honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process for Princeton University, where I will be continuing my academic and athletic career! Thank you to my family and friends for your unmatched support through this whole journey. An enormous thank you to my parents for sacrificing so much for me and helping me get to this point. Thank you to the ATS community, and to every club that has welcomed me over the years, for guiding me in the pool and making me a better person outside of it. A huge thanks to Coach Marcus for believing in me more than I believed in myself at times, and for being with me every step of the way. Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Coach Matt, Coach Mia, Coach Zach, and the rest of the Princeton staff for this incredible opportunity and for their faith in my potential. Go Tigers!
”
Joos, who trains with Aquatech Swimming Club in Singapore, won the 400m free at the Singapore National Short Course Championships last November, also earning bronze in the 200m free and taking fifth in the 100m free. Back in March, he raced at the Singapore National Age Group Long Course Championships, winning the 200m free and 400m free while earning four best times.
This past August, Joos swam at the Singapore Short Course National Invitational where he came in second in the 400m free as well as fourth in the 100m free and 200m free.
In LCM, his best times include:
- 100m free – 52.11
- 200m free – 1:50.88
- 400m free – 3:56.71
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 100 free – 45.49
- 200 free – 1:36.98
- 500 free – 4:25.17
Joos is currently a junior at Singapore American School.
Princeton won its second consecutive Ivy League Championship in 2026. His best times (converted to yards) would’ve scored in the C-final of the 200 free and 500 free at the conference meet.
*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.
