By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam
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Matthew Nakayama of Concord, California, has announced his commitment to swim and study at the University of the Pacific. He trains year-round with the Brentwood Sea Wolves and is set to graduate from De La Salle High School in the spring.
The sprint freestyle and butterfly specialist confirmed his commitment in an email to SwimSwam and provided the following quote:
I am so excited to announce my commitment to the University of the Pacific, where I will continue my athletic career at the Division 1 level. I would like to thank all of my coaches, friends, teammates, and family for supporting me throughout this journey. I would like to give a special thanks to the Pacific coaching staff for giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited to start this journey. Go Tigers!!
Nakayama’s first major meet of the 2024-25 season was the CA/NV Speedo Winter Sectionals in late December. There, he broke 21 seconds for the first time in the 50 free, touching ninth in 20.83. He also finished ninth in the 100 fly (49.58) and 11th in the 100 free (46.13), with both times representing new career bests.
The future Tiger’s two target meets of the high school season were the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) North Coast Sectional Championships and the CIF State Championships, both held in early May.
At Sectionals, Nakayama walked away with a gold, two silvers, and a fifth-place finish. He kicked things off with a win in the 200 medley relay, where he helped his team win with a 21.93 fly split. He then nabbed fifth in the 50 free (21.01), clocked a lifetime best of 49.27 for second in the 100 fly, and led off the victorious 200 free relay in 20.68.
Fast forward to State, which was held exactly one week later, he opened the meet with a 21.83 fly split on the 200 medley relay that settled for 15th. He proceeded to lead off the runner-up 200 free relay in 20.88, notch 21.09 for 17th in the 50 free after scaring his PB with a 20.77 in prelims, and logged 49.91 for 29th in the 100 fly.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 20.68
- 100 Freestyle: 46.13
- 100 Butterfly: 49.27
The University of the Pacific, a Division I swimming program competing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), is led by head coach Katelyne Herrington, who is entering her seventh year at the helm. The men won the conference title in 2025.
Nakayama is poised to make an immediate impact at the conference level, as his personal best times in the 50 free, 100 free, and 100 fly would have earned a spot in the A-final at last season’s conference meet.
On the team itself, Nakayama would have ranked fourth in the 50 free and 100 fly, as well as sixth in the 100 free. Senior Mitchell Hopper led the way in the sprint freestyles with marks of 20.41 and 43.39, while freshman Javier Lopez Guillen was the quickest 100 flyer at 46.85.
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: Matthew Nakayama Sends Commitment To University Of The Pacific For Fall 2026
