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U.S. National Championships qualifier Irelyn Kennedy has announced her verbal commitment to swim for the University of Missouri beginning in the fall of 2028.
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Missouri! Thank you so much to my family for making me the person I am today. I also would like to thank Coach Billy, Coach Brian, and all my Dart teammates. To the amazing coaching staff at Mizzou, Coach Grevers, Sans, Alec, Kate, and Drayden, I am so incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to joining this great team. Go tigers!!! M-I-Z!!! ”
A junior at Davis Senior High School in California, Kennedy has competed for her school’s varsity swimming and diving team since her freshman year. She currently trains year-round with Dart Swimming, where she primarily specializes in the breaststroke events, as well as some free and IM.
Kennedy posted a series of top performances at the 2025 Winter Junior Championship – West in December, logging a personal best time in all three of her events. She placed 23rd in the 200 breast in 2:16.56 after setting a best time of 2:16.49 during prelims, and she finished 27th in the 100 breast in 1:03.01. She also contested the 50 free (24.57).
At the 2026 Roseville Sectionals in February, Kennedy turned in another string of lifetime best performances, earning a second swim in three events. She took 3rd in the 100 breast (1:02.18 – PB) and 200 breast (2:15.20 – PB) and placed 4th in the 50 breast (29.26) after setting a best time of 29.12 during prelims. She also contested the 50 free (25.30), 100 fly (59.78 – PB) and 200 IM (2:12.62).
Kennedy competed at the 2026 Pro Swim Series (LCM) in Sacramento in May, where she posted three lifetime best performances. She placed 14th in the 100 breast (1:13.09) and 20th in the 200 breast (2:38.68 – PB). She also finished 18th during the prelims of the 50 breast (34.13) but opted out of a second swim, in addition to contesting the 50 free (28.50 – PB) and 200 IM (2:30.08 – PB).
At the 2026 U.S. National Championships (LCM) in Irvine in July, Kennedy raced the 50 breast (33.25 – PB), 100 breast (1:13.04), 200 breast (2:40.39) and 200 IM (2:30.30).
Best Times SCY:
- 100 breast – 1:02.18
- 200 breast – 2:15.20
- 50 free – 24.57
- 200 IM – 2:09.86
A Division I program, Mizzou competes in the Southeastern Conference, with the women’s team placing 10th at last season’s conference championships. The Tigers sent six athletes, including four divers, to compete at the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Championships, but they did not score any points.
To earn a second swim at the 2026 SEC Championships, it took times of 1:01.35/2:12.62 in the 100/200 breast, 2:00.73 in the 200 IM and 22.59 in the 50 free, putting Kennedy outside the cutoff in each of her top events.
On the team itself, Kennedy would have ranked 2nd in the 200 breast and 4th in the 100 breast last season. With almost two full seasons to go before Kennedy joins the Tigers, it remains to be seen how the rosters will shake out and how much she will improve her times, but she looks to be in a good position to be a strong contributor for Mizzou.
Kennedy is currently Mizzou’s only confirmed commitment from the high school class of 2028.
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