YMCA National Champion Claire Burns Hands Alabama First 2028 Verbal
NEW COMMIT: The University of Alabama has scored its first public verbal commitment for Fall 2028 from Claire Burns of Simpsonville, S.C. Burns is a versatile Junior National qualifier who excels in breaststroke and IM.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I am so excited and humbled to announce my commitment to the University of Alabama to continue my athletic and academic career! I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches at YSSC, Mann, and Athletes Base for their support and guidance through this process. I couldn’t be more grateful to the coaching staff at Alabama for this opportunity! ROLL TIDE”
Burns, who does her club swimming with Y-Spartaquatics, most recently competed at YMCA Long Course Nationals where she won the 200m IM, took second in the 200m fly and placed third in the 200m breast. That was after she won the 400m IM at South Carolina Long Course Championships.
In February, Burns had five top-4 finishes at South Carolina Short Course Seniors. She then went on to earn gold in the 200 IM and silver in the 400 IM at YMCA Short Course Nationals.
Her best times include:
- 200 IM – 2:01.27
- 400 IM – 4:16.96
- 100 breast – 1:02.64
- 200 breast – 2:13.62
Currently a junior at JL Mann High School, Burns won the 200 IM and was the 100 breast runner-up at the 2025 South Carolina 5A State Championships. She collected bronze in both of those events at the state meet as a freshman in 2024.
Alabama finished fourth at the 2026 Southeastern Conference Championships and 11th at the 2026 NCAA Championships. Burns’ best time in the 200 breast and 400 IM would’ve ranked third on their roster last year while her top 200 IM time would’ve been fourth.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
