By Will Baxley on SwimSwam
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KC Braeger, a backstroker and IMer from the Louisville area, has announced her verbal commitment to Stanford University for 2026-2030.
Braeger attends the Christian Academy – Louisville High School and competes for Lakeside Swim Club.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DBphRRkukEk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I’m so honored and happy to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic careers at Stanford University! All glory to God for my abilities and for blessing me with my amazing family, coaches, friends, and teammates. Special thank you to coach Mike and all of the Lakeside staff and shoutout to Greg, Kim, and Katie for making this process the best! GO TREES
The current senior is on the up-and-up based on her performance this past season. Braeger competed at the 2025 U.S. Nationals in June, placing 29th in the 200 IM, 30th in the 400 IM, and 48th in the 200 back. More recently, she attended the NCSA Summer Championships, picking up a trio of runner-up finishes and personal best times: 200 back (2:12.37), 200 IM (2:16.91), and 100 back (1:02.07).
Her successful long course campaign followed an equally successful short course season. She hit best times in virtually every event in the short course season and won the KHSAA State title in the 200 IM (2:02.22).
At the 2024 Winter Juniors – East, Braeger swam the butterfly leg of her team’s victorious 200 medley relay in 24.35. Individually, she secured a 9th place finish in the 400 IM (4:13.03) and 10th in the 200 IM (1:59.09).
Braeger’s Best SCY Times
- 400 IM — 4:13.03
- 200 back — 1:55.29
- 200 IM — 1:59.09
- 100 back — 53.53
Stanford’s coaching staff worked excellently with another Lakeside IMer who joined the Cardinals – Brooke Forde. The 2022 graduate captured two individual NCAA titles during her time in Palo Alto and won an Olympic silver medal as part of the U.S. women’s 4×200 relay team.
For Braeger, she’ll look to be a conference contributor from the start. Her 400 IM time as a junior would be good enough to B final at the 2025 ACC Championships, while her 200 back time is C final worthy. Her 400 IM best sits over three seconds off a 2025 NCAA invite. On campus, she’ll have no shortage of elite competition to train with in these events, such as reigning 400 IM champion Caroline Bricker and backstroker Levenia Sim.
Joining Braeger in the class of 2030 is Clare Watson, who just made final appearances in the butterfly events at Junior Worlds, and Italian sprinter Tanni Stevanato.
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: U.S. Nationals Qualifier KC Braeger Verbally Commits To Stanford For 2026
