By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam
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Grace McCarthy from Cornelius, North Carolina, has announced her verbal commitment to the admission process* at Harvard University for the 2027-29 school year. She confirmed in writing to SwimSwam:
“I am incredibly honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process at Harvard University! I could not be more grateful for my family, friends, teammates, coaches and teachers who have pushed me to be my best self and supported me endlessly. A special thank you to Coach Chuck, Coach Ben, Coach Julio, Coach Brian, and Coach Larry. I couldn’t have done it without your guidance and belief in me. Lastly, I’d like to thank Coach Amanda and Coach Geordie for the opportunity to join their amazing team. This is a dream come true, GO CRIMSON
”
McCarthy is a junior at Pine Lake Preparatory. She swims year-round with SwimMAC Carolina and specializes in breast, free, and IM. As a freshman at the 2024 North Carolina High School 1A/2A State Championships, she contributed to Pine Lake’s team title with runner-up finishes in the 200 IM (2:05.49) and 100 free (51.38), notching PBs in both events. Last year, she was 3rd in the 100 free (53.45) and 5th in the 200 free (1:56.67).
In club swimming, she competed at Winter Juniors East in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 breast. She earned lifetime best in the 50/100 free (23.53/50.71) while leading off SwimMAC’s relays. Earlier in the fall, she had clocked PBs in the 200 free (1:50.80), 100 breast (1:04.02), 200 breast (2:21.06), and 200 IM (2:03.88).
In long-course season, McCarthy threw down PBs in the 100 free (58.24), 200 free (2:07.44), 50 breast (34.55), 100 breast (1:14.93), and 200 breast (2:48.90). She wrapped up the summer at Junior Nationals in Irvine, where she competed individually in the 50 free (27.21) and 50 breast (PB of 34.55) and contributed to SwimMAC’s 200 free (27.13 leadoff) and 400 free (57.57 split) relays.
McCarthy’s best times would have scored points for the Crimson at the 2025 Ivy League Women’s Championships in the ‘B’ final of the 100 free and the ‘C’ finals of the 200 free and 100/200 breast. It took 23.45 in the 50 free and 2:03.15 in the 200 IM to make it back to finals at the conference meet.
Best SCY times:
- 50 free – 23.53
- 100 free – 50.71
- 200 free – 1:50.80
- 200 IM – 2:03.88
- 50 breast – 33.63
- 100 breast – 1:04.02
- 200 breast – 2:21.06
*Note: A verbal commitment between an Ivy League coach and a prospective student-athlete is not an offer of admission, as only the Admission Office has that authority. The coach can only commit his or her support in the admission process. Ivy League Admission Offices do not issue “Likely Letters” before October 1 of the prospective student-athlete’s senior year of high school. The Likely Letter, while issued after an initial read of the student’s application, is not an offer of admission to the university.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to Recruits@swimswam.com.
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Read the full story on SwimSwam: Harvard Women Kick Off Class of 2027 With Verbal From US Open Qualifier Grace McCarthy
