UCLA Adds to Lethal Class of 2026 with Verbal from Ashley Kolessar

Photo Courtesy: Ashley Kolessar

NEW COMMIT: UCLA has been forming an incredible recruiting class for the 2022-23 season, and their latest verbal commitment comes from Ashley Kolessar of Chester Heights, Pa.

She will join Beril Böcekler, Morganne Malloy, Katrina Bellio, Rosie Murphy, Ava Lachey, Fay Lustria and Courtney Seljeseth as a member of the Bruins’ Class of 2026.

Ashley will be the second DI swimmer in her family as her older sister, Madison Kolessar, is currently a freshman at Florida.

Regarding her commitment, she said:

“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at UCLA. I would like to thank my coaches, family and friends for helping me along with this journey. I chose UCLA because of the welcoming and supportive coaches, the outstanding academics and the beautiful campus. Go Bruins!”

A talented distance swimmer, Kolessar trains year-round with the Suburban Seahawks Club and most recently competed at the 18&U Winter Championships in Carlisle where she recorded four top-4 finishes after competing at the Toyota U.S. Open.

In Summer 2019, she was a seven-time finalist at Middle Atlantic LCM Seniors before going on to place ninth in the 800m free at the NCSA Championships.

Her best times include:

100 free – 51.88
200 free – 1:50.38
500 free – 4:51.39
1000 free – 9:58.36
1650 free – 16:38.27
200 back – 2:02.33
100 breast – 1:03.57
200 breast – 2:17.12
200 fly – 1:59.74
200 IM – 2:00.46
400 IM – 4:18.36

Currently a junior at Notre Dame Academy, Kolessar is already a four-time individual Eastern Interscholastic League Championship finalist. She secured silver in the 100 breast and bronze in the 200 IM as a sophomore while taking third and second, respectively, in those events during her freshman season.

Kolessar would’ve been UCLA’s third-fastest miler last season and also would’ve ranked No. 4 in both the 400 IM and 500 free. She also would’ve scored in the B-final of the 400 IM and placed in the top-14 of the mile at the 2020 Pac-12 Championships where UCLA finished fourth overall in the team standings.

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

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