Imagine the thrill of chasing a lifelong dream in swimming, only to stir up a family rivalry that could fuel debates for years—welcome to the story of Meredith O’Grady's bold commitment! Diving into the world of college recruiting, this young athlete's choice isn't just about pools and times; it's a heartwarming tale of dedication, family bonds, and a dash of sibling showdown. But here's where it gets controversial: picking UCLA over her brothers' beloved USC—dare we say it's a calculated poke at the Trojans? Stick around to explore how this decision unfolds, and you might find yourself questioning loyalties in the competitive swim scene.
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Meet Meredith O’Grady, a high school senior at La Canada High in La Cañada Flintridge, California. She's thrilled to announce her verbal commitment to swim and pursue her studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, starting in the fall of 2026. In her own words, shared on social media at the moment of her announcement, Meredith expressed pure joy:
“UCLA!! I am so happy and excited to continue swimming and studying at UCLA in 2026!! Thank you Coach Jordan and Coach Graham for the opportunity to join this incredible team. I’d especially like to thank my father and Coach, John O’Grady, who has been crucial to my swimming all these years. Thank you to my family, Spartans coaches and teammates for your unwavering support.
And thank you to Coach Kristine for your continued encouragement and wise words.
I am so excited to swim with my UCLA teammates!!
Go Bruins!! 💙💛🐻”
Now, here's the juicy part most people miss: Meredith might be stirring the pot by opting for UCLA, as her two older brothers are deeply connected to rival USC—Chris swam for them in the class of 2025, and Pierce is set to do the same in 2028. Meanwhile, her sister Mae is a senior at Texas, where she's served as the Longhorns’ women's swim team manager since 2022. For beginners dipping their toes into swim recruiting, this family dynamic highlights how personal ties and rival schools can add layers of excitement (or tension) to these decisions.
Meredith represents her high school and swims for the club team Spartans of La Canada, with her dad, John O’Grady, leading as head coach. Specializing in sprint freestyle and butterfly, she smashed personal bests across her top events during last spring's high school season. At the Rio Hondo League Championships in April, she clinched victory in the 100 fly with a time of 56.70 and took second in the 50 free at 23.78, shattering a long-standing school record for La Canada High. The next week, at the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 Championships, she secured second place in both the 100 free and 200 free, posting personal records of 50.98 and 1:48.63 respectively—her 100 free also set a new school mark. She then competed in the 2025 CIF State Championship in Clovis, finishing fifth in the 200 free and 16th in the 100 free.
This past summer, Meredith dominated at the Summer Age Group Championships, winning the 50 free (27.05) and 200 free (2:08.27), placing second in the 100 free (58.43), and coming in fourth and seventh in the 400 free (4:34.65) and 100 fly (1:06.99). To give you a clearer picture, these short-course yards (SCY) races are swum in standard 25-yard pools, unlike long-course meters used in Olympics, and they test speed and endurance over shorter distances—think of them as high-intensity sprints that build the foundation for longer events.
Her best times in SCY include:
* 50 free – 23.78
* 100 free – 50.98
* 200 free – 1:48.63
* 100 fly – 56.70
Meredith will join UCLA's incoming class of 2030 alongside standout recruits like Zoie Fjare (https://swimswam.com/botr-distance-freestyler-zoie-fjare-commits-to-ucla-for-fall-2026/), Alex Fox (https://swimswam.com/ny-native-and-ncsa-finalist-alex-fox-heads-west-with-verbal-to-ucla/), Ava Otteson (https://swimswam.com/freestyle-butterfly-specialist-ava-otteson-announces-commitment-to-ucla/), McKenna Carroll (https://swimswam.com/winter-juniors-qualifier-mckenna-carroll-verbally-commits-to-ucla-for-2026-27/), Mia Bugarin (https://swimswam.com/distance-freestyler-mia-bugarin-sends-commitment-to-ucla-for-fall-2026/), Olivia Sina (https://swimswam.com/wisconsin-hs-div-1-state-champion-olivia-sina-chooses-ucla-2026/), and Sora Koike (https://swimswam.com/freestyle-specialist-sora-koike-announces-her-commitment-to-ucla-2026/). For context, these athletes are often evaluated through programs like NCSA, which matches swimmers with colleges based on academics and performance—it's like a sports agent for student-athletes, ensuring a good fit beyond just the pool. UCLA, meanwhile, placed seventh out of 14 teams at their first Big Ten Conference Championships last fall, showcasing times like 22.55 in the 50 free, 49.60 in the 100 free, 1:47.11 in the 200 free, and 53.45 in the 100 fly to contribute to their score.
And this is the part that could spark debate: Is Meredith's choice a subtle family feud, or just a smart pick for her future? Some might argue it's a bold stand against tradition, while others see it as loyalty to her own path. What do you think—does prioritizing personal growth trump family allegiances in sports?
If you've got a commitment story to share, drop us an email with a landscape photo and a quote to emailprotected.
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About Anne Lepesant
Anne Lepesant (https://swimswam.com/bio/anne-lepesant/)
As the proud mother of four daughters who all swam competitively in college, Anne brings a unique perspective to the sport. Holding an undergraduate degree from Princeton—where she excelled as an all-Ivy tennis player—and an MBA from INSEAD, she spent many years in the financial sector across France and the U.S. Today, Anne is actively involved in swimming journalism, sharing insights that blend her professional background with her family's athletic journey. If you're curious about balancing elite sports with academics, her story is a great example.
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What are your thoughts on Meredith's UCLA commitment? Do you side with the Bruins or think family loyalty should win out? Share your opinions in the comments below—let's discuss!
