UC Santa Barbara Adds Verbals From Samantha Banos, Hazel Derr to Class of 2026

Photo Courtesy: Samantha Banos / Hazel Derr

NEW COMMITS: The University of California, Santa Barbara has added two more verbal commitments for the 2022-23 season and beyond from Los Alamitos, Calif. native Samantha Banos and Hazel Derr of Portland, Ore.

Both talented swimmers will join Isabella Urlando, Alyssa Lund, Vivian Mudry, Olivia Hovorka and Nina Statler as members of the Gauchos’ Class of 2026.

SAMANTHA BANOS

Photo Courtesy: Samantha Banos

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to UC Santa Barbara to further my academic and athletic career! Big thanks to my family, friends, and coaches for their unconditional support that has helped me get to this point. Go Gauchos!! ??”

Banos does her club swimming with Seal Beach Swim Club and most recently placed 10th in the 100m fly at the TYR 18&U Spring Cup in Irvine after earning seven best times at the 18&U Winter Championships. She posted three top-8 finishes at Plantation Sectionals in 2020 and raced both fly events at Juniors West in 2019.

Her best times include:

100 fly – 55.14
200 fly – 2:02.73
200 IM – 2:05.06
400 IM – 4:27.62
100 free – 51.55
200 free – 1:55.03
100 back – 57.65

Currently a junior at Los Alamitos High School, Banos placed 13th in the 100 fly and 16th in the 200 IM at the CIF Southern DI Championships during her freshman campaign. She has also earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors for her efforts in the classroom.

HAZEL DERR

Photo Courtesy: Hazel Derr

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so incredibly excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at UCSB! I want to thank my friends, family, and coaches for supporting me throughout this journey. The beautiful location, amazing coaches, and supportive team make it the perfect fit for me. I can’t wait to be a Gaucho! ????”

Derr trains year-round with Portland Aquatic Club and most recently placed sixth in the 200m back at the TYR 18&U Spring Cup after taking fourth in the 200 back at Four Corners Sectionals. She raced the 100/200 back at Juniors West in 2019 and raced to 19th in the 200m back at Mount Hood Futures in August 2019.

Her best times include:

50 back – 26.80
100 back – 56.03
200 back – 2:00.40
200 IM – 2:06.53
400 IM – 4:34.76

Also competing for Jefferson High School, Derr is a four-time individual Oregon 6A State Championship finalist. The two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American finished third in the 100 back and eighth in the 100 free as a sophomore while taking seventh in the 100 back as a freshman.

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

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