By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam
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Peyton Kerby of Flower Mound, Texas, has committed to swim and study at Queens University, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. She trains year-round with Lakeside Aquatic Club and attends Keller High School.
Kerby, who specializes in freestyle and IM, publicized the commitment on SwimCloud:
I am beyond thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to continue both my academic and athletic journey at Queens University of Charlotte! This is truly a dream come true, and I am so grateful for everyone who helped make this possible. To my amazing parents, your constant love, support, and sacrifices mean the world to me. I couldn’t do this without you. A huge thank you to Coach Jason, Coach Dan, and everyone at Lakeside for welcoming me and always pushing me to grow. Thank you to Coach Jeff and the entire Queens coaching staff for giving me this opportunity to be a part of building the Royals legacy! And above all, all glory to God for guiding me every step of the way. GO ROYALS!
The future Royal specializes in middle-distance freestyle as well as both IM events. Her lifetime bests all date back to 2023, when she posted times of 1:54.95, 5:02.93, and 17:19.00 in the 200, 500, and 1650 free, respectively, along with 2:12.31 in the 200 IM and 4:29.88 in the 400 IM.
She wrapped up this past short course season at Speedo Sectionals in Justin, which were both held in early March. Her top finish came in the 1000 free, where she placed 43rd in 10:52.27. She also took 57th in the 500 free (5:17.93), 80th in the 400 IM (4:44.08), 86th in the 200 free (1:59.47), and 87th in the 200 IM (2:14.87).
Many of Kerby’s top swims from the 2024–25 season came at the NT COPS 43rd Annual Greater Southwest Invitational in January, where she clocked a 5:12.38 in the 500 free and 4:39.15 in the 400 IM.
She owns season bests of 1:59.19 in the 200 free and 2:12.54 in the 200 IM, both from separate meets in December. Notably, she hasn’t raced the mile in over a year and a half.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 Freestyle: 1:54.95
- 500 Freestyle: 5:02.93
- 1650 Freestyle: 17:19.00
- 200 IM: 2:12.31
- 400 IM: 4:29.88
Queens University is a Division I school in North Carolina, is led by 16 year head coach Jeff Dugdale. At the 2025 ASUN Championships, the Queens women finished third out of seven teams
At the 2025 conference meet, which offered ‘A’ and ‘B’ finals, it took times of 1:52.08 and 5:04.88 to make the top 16 in the 200 and 500 free, while times of 2:05.97 and 4:32.88 were required in the IMs. This means she enters as an immediate scoring threat in the 500 free and 400 IM, assuming she is able to approach near her PBs.
In the 1650 free, her PB of 17:19.00 would have placed her sixth last year, garnering a whopping 13 points for the Royals. That event is where she will likely have the most impact when she arrives on campus next fall.
According to the team’s 2024–25 depth chart, Kerby’s bests would have situated her second in the 1650 free, fifth in the 400 IM, sixth in the 500 free, eighth in the 200 IM, and ninth in the 200 free. Junior Katherine Bailey was the swiftest miler with the 16:57.52 clocking that earned her bronze at the ASUN Championships.
Kerby joins Emily Heintz and Grace Marsaa in committing to the university’s recruiting class of 2030.
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: Freestyler & IMer Peyton Kerby To Swim For Queens University Beginning In 2026-27 Season
