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The California Golden Bears have received a verbal commitment from in-state standout Aislinn Light. A senior at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, Light placed fourth in the 100 free (50.80) and fifth in the 100 back (55.39) at 2015 CIF Division I Championships last May. She also led off Mater Dei’s 200 medley relay (26.70) and anchored their 400 free relay (50.60). Light went on to compete in the inaugural California State Championship meet where she won the “B” final of the 100 free in 50.66, and was 7th in the 100 back with 55.50.
“It still feels surreal to me that I was offered the opportunity to take part in a swim program that I have looked up to my whole life. My dad and brother are Berkeley alumni and my sister is currently a sophomore there, so Cal has been a big part of my life already and I am very excited to finally embark on my own journey there! My siblings and I are very close and I have heard countless Cal stories and I can’t wait to be able to add to the conversation! I know that UC Berkeley will challenge me academically and as well as athletically, allowing me to grow as a individual and reach the goals I set for myself. Also, I am very confident that Coach Teri will push me to be the best I can be in the pool and more importantly out of the pool. My current coach, Coach Steve, has trained, motivated, and supported me greatly these past years I have swum with him, allowing me to be in this position I am in today, so a big thanks to him! Overall, I am very humbled and grateful to be a part of the Cal family.”
Light trains with Coach Steve Pickell at Socal Aquatics Association. Her best times (SCY/LCM) over the past year include:
- 50 back – 26.46/
- 100 back – 54.81/1:03.98
- 200 back – 1:59.01/2:18.00
- 50 free – 23.59/27.14
- 100 free – 50.66/57.91
- 200 free – 1:51.31/2:08.84
Light should provide new blood to the Bears’ storied backstroke fleet, which will have lost Missy Franklin, Melanie Klaren, Rachel Bootsma, Elizabeth Pelton, Kelly Naze, and Alicia Grima by the time she starts. Light will join an equally impressive backstroke group consisting of new (2015-16) freshmen Kathleen Baker and Amy Bilquist as well as returning veterans Jasmine Mau, Catherine Ladd, and Kristin Vredeveld. Light’s best 100 back time would have made the “B” final at 2015 Pac-12 Championships and her 200 back would have been on the A/B bubble.
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Yea Ace! Roll on!