Four Under-the-Radar Freshmen to Watch During Upcoming NCAA Season
The 2025-26 NCAA swim season is approaching quickly, and several incoming freshmen are poised to make significant impacts on their respective teams. Here’s a look at four first-year standouts who might have flown under the radar:
Max Goettsch (University of California, Berkeley)
Specialties: Sprint Freestyle
Top Times:
- 50 Free (SCY): 20.11
- 100 Free (SCY): 43.96
- 200 Free (SCY): 1:35.82
Highlights:
- Winter U.S. Open qualifier
- Illinois state record holder in the 200 free
- 156th in the Class of 2025
The University of California, Berkeley Golden Bears welcome sprint freestyler Max Goettsch, a standout from Illinois. Goettsch has personal bests of 20.11 in the 50 freestyle, 43.96 in the 100 free, and 1:35.82 in the 200 free. Once Goettsch gets comfortable with training at the collegiate level, these times will likely drop, putting the freshman squarely on the radar for national scoring. Already an Illinois state record-holder and a Winter U.S. Open qualifier, Goettsch joins a deep Cal recruiting class.
Derek Hitchens (Columbia University)
Specialties: Sprint Freestyle/Backstroke/Butterfly
Top Times:
- 50 Free (SCY): 20.37
- 100 Free (SCY): 43.73
- 100 Back (SCY): 47.19
- 200 Back (SCY): 1:47.20
- 100 Fly (SCY): 48.29
- 200 Fly (SCY): 1:46.21
Highlights:
- 3x USA Swimming Scholastic All-American
- Winter Juniors qualifier
- 116th in the Class of 2025
Columbia’s incoming class features Derek Hitchens, a sprinter who also has talent in the backstroke and butterfly. Hitchens has posted times of 20.67 in the 50 free, 45.31 in the 100 free, and a sub-50 100 back (47.19), highlighting his versatility. A three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, he is expected to make an immediate impact in the Ivy League, contributing both in individual events and on Columbia’s relays.
Jiarui Xue (Princeton University)
Specialties: Distance Freestyle/IM
Top Times:
- 500 Free (SCY): 4:20.54
- 1000 Free (SCY): 9:05.99
- 1650 Free (SCY): 15:06.71
Highlights:
- 2024 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 1500 free
- Minnesota state champion and NCSA Championships finalist
- 104th in the Class of 2025
Distance freestyler Jiarui Xue of Princeton arrives with an impressive résumé, including qualification for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 1500 free. The Minnesota state champion boasts times of 4:20.54 (500 free), 9:05.99 (1000 free), and 15:06.71 (1650 free), signaling his potential to be an NCAA distance scorer. The freshman’s arrival strengthens Princeton’s distance lineup and adds a national presence to the Tigers’ roster.
Aiden Hammer (University of Texas)
Specialties: Distance and Middle Distance Freestyle
Top Times:
- 200 Free (SCY): 1:35.85
- 500 Free (SCY): 4:14.21
- 1000 Free (SCY): 8:55.18
- 1650 Free (SCY): 15:10.49
Highlights:
- Reclassified to the Class of 2025, joining Texas a year early
- Joins a strong distance group, including Rex Maurer
- 13th in the Class of 2025
Aiden Hammer joins Texas a year early after reclassifying to the Class of 2025 and flipping his commitment from the University of California, Berkeley. A mid-distance and distance freestyler who recently competed at the World Junior Championships, Hammer has posted a 4:14.21 in the 500 free, an 8:55.18 in the 1000 free, and a 15:10.49 in the 1650 free. His early move to Austin bolsters an already deep Longhorns roster, and his times suggest he could be an immediate contributor in individual distance events.
