Junior Pan Pac Champion Gabi Brito Verbally Commits to Cal for 2028
NEW COMMIT: The University of California, Berkeley has picked up a huge verbal commitment for Fall 2028 from in-state standout Gabi Brito of Santa Monica, Calif. Brito, arguably the top recruit in the class, is a member of the 2026-27 U.S. National Junior Team in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly.
She will join Katrin Otaegi, Stella Canoles and Noelle Benkler in the Bay Area as a member of the Golden Bears’ Class of 2032.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I am beyond excited and grateful to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of California, Berkeley! A huge thank you to Coach Justin and the entire BCA coaching staff for their constant support and for helping me grow throughout the years. To my teammates, thank you for pushing and motivating me every day at practice. Most importantly, thank you to my family for their endless sacrifices and support throughout this journey. A special thank you to Coach Dave and the entire Cal coaching staff for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. I can’t wait to be a Golden Bear!”
Brito owns the fastest times in the Class of 2028 in the 50 free, 50 back, 50 fly, 100 free, 100 fly and 200 IM. She does her club swimming with Beach Cities Alpha.
At Junior Pan Pacs this past summer, Brito won the 50m free, 50m fly and 100m fly while taking fifth in the 50m back and 13th in the 100m free. She won the 200m IM at Junior Nationals and earned bronze in the 50m fly at Summer Nationals.
Last winter, Brito won the 50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 100 fly and 200 IM — all of her individual events — at Juniors West. She then earned four gold medals at Oceanside Speedo Sectionals.
Her best time in the 50 free ranks third all-time in the girls’ 15-16 age group while her top 100 fly is fourth and her best 100 free time is seventh.
Her best times include:
- 100 fly: 50.74
- 200 IM: 1:55.76
- 50 free: 21.66
- 100 free: 47.77
- 200 free: 1:46.07
- 50 back: 23.86
- 50 fly: 23.17
- 100 back: 51.46
- 200 back: 1:55.57
- 200 fly: 1:57.52
- 400 IM: 4:12.69
- 200 breast: 2:13.04
- 100 breast: 1:01.60
Currently a junior at Santa Monica High School, Brito won the 50 free and 100 fly at the 2026 CIF Southern Section Division I Championship.
The Golden Bears finished third at the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and fourth at the 2026 NCAA Championships.
Brito’s best times are already fast enough to have placed eighth in the 100 fly, 13th in the 200 IM, 14th in the 50 free and 20th in the 100 free at the 2026 NCAA Championships — and she’s only 16 years old.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
