Santa Clara’s Max Saunders Gives In-State Verbal to USC Trojans

Photo Courtesy: Max Saunders

NEW COMMIT: Los Gatos, Calif. native Max Saunders has elected to stay in-state next fall with his verbal commitment to swim for the University of Southern California.

A former water polo player, Saunders turned his attention to full-time club swimming with Santa Clara Swim Club last winter. He has a pair of Nationals cuts in the 50 and 100 free and has met the Juniors standard in the 200 free. He recorded 100% lifetime bests at Junior Nationals this summer which included a 23rd-place finish in the 100m free and also competed at TYR Pro Swim Series Santa Clara.

Representing Bellarmine Prep, he is a three-time CIF State Championship finalist. During his junior season, Saunders was the 100 free runner-up and placed tenth in the 50 free. He finished first and second, respectively, in those events at CIF-Centrals a week prior.

He told Swimming World:

“I chose to go to USC because when I was there, I felt like I was a part of the Trojan family, and I felt like I was home.”

His best times include:

50 free – 20.55
100 free – 44.15
200 free – 1:40.22
500 free – 4:36.78
100 fly – 51.26

With the graduation of three 50 free A-finalists at last season’s Pac-12 Championships, Saunders’ sprint talents will be welcomed with open arms when he suits up for the Trojans as a member of the class of 2023. USC finished third in the team standings at last season’s conference championships.

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Sachi Kuwano

5 years ago

Congrats to Max and the Saunders family!!!

Keren Edwards

5 years ago

Congratulations Max. Fantastic!