By Anne Lepesant on SwimSwam
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Rising high school junior Kate Canales, from Boerne, Texas, has handed the University of Florida their first verbal commitment for 2027-28.
“I am SUPER HYPED to announce my verbal commitment to continue my swimming and academic career in the Fall of 2027 at The University of Florida, GO GATORS! Thank you to the University of Florida Coaching staff – Coach Nesty, Coach Whitney, Coach Kristin, Coach Jack and Coach Alex for giving me this incredible opportunity! SPECIAL THANK YOUs to: Coach Doug Gjertsen and Coach Daniel Roa and the rest of my AAAA swim family, Coach Stephanie and Dave Barnes, Coach Scott Slay and Coach Michael Gillette and the rest of my teammates at Champion High School. Extremely gracious and thankful to my mom, dad, brothers and the rest of my family for supporting my swim journey! I can’t wait to join the GATOR NATION family! GO GATORS!
”
Canales attends Samuel V. Champion High School and is a 5x Texas UIL 5A state champion, having won the 100 fly (54.87), 100 breast (1:00.79), 200 medley relay (27.90 breast split), and 400 free relay (49.98 anchor) in 2025 and the 200 medley relay in 2024. Also in 2024, she was runner-up in the 100 breast (1:02.61) and 400 free relay and placed 3rd in the 100 fly (56.19) as a 9th grader.
In 2025, Canales broke the 5A state record in the 100 breast (1:00.79) and as a member of the 200 medley relay. She was named THSCA 5A Girls Super Elite Team MVP.
Canales swims year-round with Alamo Area Aquatic Association. We considered her one of the “Best of the Rest” breaststrokers on our Way Too Early list of top girls’ recruits from the high school class of 2027. After high school season, which produced her best 100 fly and 100 breast times, Canales competed at Justin Sectionals and took home new PBs in the 100 free (50.40), 200 free (1:50.73), and 200 IM (2:04.48).
She had a strong showing in long course season, updating her times in every event. At Austin Swim Club’s Firecracker meet in June, she swam lifetime bests in the 50 free (26.74), 200 free (2:04.92), 400 free (4:26.79), and 200 breast (2:37.21) while winning the 200 free and 200 breast and placing 2nd in the 50 free and 400 free. At Austin Sectionals, she hit best times in the 100 free (57.57), 100 breast (1:11.33), 200 IM (2:21.10), and 400 IM (4:58.85). Canales wrapped up the summer at Junior National Championships in Irvine, where she dropped again in the 100 free (57.29) and clocked PBs in the 50 breast (32.31), 100 breast (1:11.04), 200 breast (2:35.67, -1.6 seconds), 100 fly (1:00.94), and 200 IM (2:18.35, -2.8 seconds). She finished 7th in the 50 breast, 13th in the 100 breast, 30th in the 200 breast, 18th in the 100 fly, and 19th in the 200 IM.
Florida retained their top two breaststrokers from last season: sophomore Anita Bottazzo (57.49/2:08.66) and junior Molly Mayne (58.89/2:08.50). Gracie Weyant (1:01.33/2:10.14) and Sofia Plaza (2:10.17 breast/1:57.41 IM) are also sophomores this season and should be there, with Bottazzo, when Canales arrives in Gainesville.
Best SCY times:
- 100 breast – 1:00.79
- 200 breast – 2:18.09
- 50 free – 23.62
- 100 free – 50.40
- 200 free – 1:50.73
- 100 fly – 54.51
- 200 fly – 2:02.90
- 200 IM – 2:04.48
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: Florida Jumps into 2027 Recruiting with Verbal Commitment from BOTR Breaststroker Kate Canales
