{"id":653827,"date":"2026-09-20T15:36:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T22:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=653827"},"modified":"2026-09-20T15:36:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T22:36:43","slug":"alabama-adds-illinois-state-champion-paige-kowal-to-class-of-2032","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/alabama-adds-illinois-state-champion-paige-kowal-to-class-of-2032\/","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Adds Illinois State Champion Paige Kowal to Class of 2032"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alabama Adds Illinois State Champion Paige Kowal to Class of 2032<\/strong><\/p>\n

NEW COMMIT:\u00a0<\/strong>The University of Alabama has added another verbal commitment for its Class of 2032, this time from\u00a0Paige Kowal\u00a0<\/strong>of Geneva, Ill. Kowal is a Junior National qualifier who excels in freestyle and IM.<\/p>\n

She will join\u00a0Claire Burns<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in Tuscaloosa in Fall 2028.<\/p>\n

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

“I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama! I\u2019m so grateful for the support of my family, teammates and bullets coaches who helped me get here. A special thanks to Coach Margo and Coach Rich for giving me this amazing opportunity. ROLL TIDE”<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Kowal, who trains year-round with Academy Bullets Swim Club, most recently competed at NCSA Summer Championships where she earned silver in the 200m IM and bronze in the 200m free along with three other top-10 individual finishes. She competed at Juniors West in December before going on to final in five events at NCSA Spring Championships where her highest finish was a runner-up showing in the 200 free.<\/p>\n

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