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Claudia Yovanovich of Seattle, Washington, has announced her verbal commitment to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), beginning with the 2024-2025 season. Yovanovich trains year-round with Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club and is currently a junior at Ballard High School.
“Can’t stop smiling because I’m so happy to announce my verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of California, Los Angeles! This is truly a life long dream of mine and I want to thank my amazing teammates, friends, family, and coaches for the constant support. Special shoutout to Coach Jordan and Coach Karissa for always believing in me throughout this entire process. Cannot wait to join such an amazing team, Go Bruins!! 💛💙”
Yovanovich primarily swims sprint freestyle and backstroke. She most recently raced at the Pro Swim Series stop in Westmont, where she logged best times in the 50m back (30.76), 100m back (1:07.31), and 50m breast (35.74). She also time trialed the 50m free, recording a 27.73 for another best time.
Prior to competing at Westmont, Yovanovich wrapped up her short course season at the Western Zone Senior Championships in late March. She won the 100 backstroke in a best time of 54.84, and took runner-up in the 50 free (23.37). She also set a slew of personal best times at Sectionals in early March, including knocking nearly three seconds off her best time in the 200 back (2:00.91).
Yovanovich has also had a successful high school career thus far. At the Washington High School State Championships her sophomore year, she earned runner-up in the 50 free (23.80) and 5th in the 100 free (52.71). As a junior this year, she placed 3rd in both the 50 free (23.61) and 100 back (56.66).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 free – 23.37
- 100 free – 51.29
- 200 free – 1:54.99
- 50 back – 25.94
- 100 back – 54.84
- 200 back – 2:00.91
UCLA is coming off of a 4th place finish at the 2023 Pac-12 Championships. The Bruins qualified five swimmers to the NCAA Division I Championships, including Eva Carlson, Gabby Dang, Claire Grover, Paige MacEachern, and Rachel Rhee.
Leading UCLA’s backstroke group this season was senior Sophia Kosturos and freshman Rosie Murphy. Kosturos took 9th in the 100 backstroke at Pac-12s in 52.88, while Murphy finished 12th in the 200 back (1:55.29). Yovanovich’s best time in the 100 back would have qualified her to the C-final this year, while in the 200 she would have been just outside it.
By the time Yovanovich arrives in Los Angeles, UCLA will have made the transition to the Big Ten conference. This year, it took a 54.47 to make it back in the 100 back, and a 1:58.61 to advance in the 200 back.
With her commitment, she joins Grace Dougherty, Anna Wetteland, and Catherine Andrews in the Bruins’ class of 2028. Andrews is from the same club team as Yovanovich and also swims backstroke, owning best times of 53.76/1:57.04 in the 100/200 back.
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