{"id":460039,"date":"2021-01-20T20:06:46","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T03:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=460039"},"modified":"2021-01-20T20:06:46","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T03:06:46","slug":"junior-national-finalist-kaia-li-verbally-commits-to-harvard-for-2022-23-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/junior-national-finalist-kaia-li-verbally-commits-to-harvard-for-2022-23-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Junior National Finalist Kaia Li Verbally Commits to Harvard for 2022-23 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>U.S. Open qualifier\u00a0Kaia Li\u00a0<\/strong>of Menlo Park, Calif. has announced her verbal commitment* to Harvard University as a member of the Crimson’s Class of 2026.<\/p>\n

She will join fellow Cali native Sydney Lu<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in Cambridge at the start of the 2022-23 season.<\/p>\n

Regarding her commitment, she said:<\/p>\n

“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! \u2764\ufe0f”<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A versatile swimmer, Li trains year-round with\u00a0Palo 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Her best times include:<\/p>\n