Ellie Clarke, the #4 Recruit in the Class of 2028, Sends Verbal Commitment to Tennessee

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Ellie Clarke from Carmel, Indiana, has announced her intention to swim and study at the University of Tennessee beginning in the 2028-29 school year. She wrote on social media:

“I am incredibly honored and excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee! I would like to thank my parents and my brother for their endless love and support throughout my journey, as well as all of my family, friends, and teammates who have supported me every step of the way! A special thank you to Coach Pfaff and Coach Plumb for always challenging me and helping me grow into the swimmer and person I am today. Another thank you to all of the coaches at Carmel for being such a special part of my journey. Lastly, a huge thank you to Coach Matt and all of the coaches at Tennessee for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime! GO VOLS!!🍊🍊”

Clarke swims for Carmel High School, where she is a junior, and Carmel Swim Club. She has an incredible lineup of events, ranging from the 200 fly and 400 IM to sprint free. We have ranked her #4 on our Way Too Early list of top girls’ swimming recruits in the high school class of 2028.

In just two years of prep swimming, Clarke already has three Indiana High School state titles to her name. She won the 100 back (54.34) and was runner-up in the 500 free (4:51.20) as a freshman, and she won the 200 IM (1:57.73, PB) and 100 back (53.08) as a sophomore. She also swam fly (23.59) on Carmel’s winning medley relay and led off the 3rd-place 400 free relay (49.61, PB) at the 2026 IHSAA Girls’ State Championship.

The following month she competed at Four Corners Sectionals, where she won all six events she swam (500/1650 free, 100/200 back, 200 fly, and 400 IM) and lowered her lifetime bests in the 50 free (22.88), 100 free (49.32), 500 free (4:41.67), 1650 free (16:09.17), 100 back (52.16), 200 back (1:53.17), 200 fly (1:53.62), and 400 IM (4:06.77). She also swam a 200 free split of 1:45.45 on CSC’s 800 free relay.

This summer, Clarke notched PBs in the 200 fly (2:09.84) and 400 IM (4:43.36) at Pro Swim Series Indy, and in the 200 back (2:08.96), 200 IM (2:16.26), and 400 IM (4:42.03) at Summer Nationals. Her performances at the latter meet led to her being selected to represent Team USA at Junior Pan Pacific Championships. There, she earned a bronze medal in the 200 fly (2:11.65) and placed 5th in the 800 free (8:45.93) and 11th in the 200 back (2:12.42).

Clarke will head to Knoxville in the fall of 2028 with verbal commits Jianna Amores (#12 in the class) and Kate McKinnon (“Honorable Mention) with times that would already make the NCAA Division I Championships cutline in the 500 free, 1650 free, 200 back, 200 fly, and 400 IM. Her 200 fly time –the fastest in the cohort– is within scoring range.

Best SCY times:

200 fly – 1:53.62 (best in class)
100 fly – 53.76
400 IM – 4:06.77
200 IM – 1:57.73
1650 free – 16:09.17
1000 free – 9:49.27
500 free – 4:41.67
200 free – 1:47.31
200 free relay split – 1:45.45
100 free – 49.32
50 free – 22.88
200 back – 1:53.17
100 back – 52.16

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