Get ready to dive into the exciting world of college swimming, where dreams are made and records are broken! But here's where it gets even more thrilling: Stanford Cardinal is making waves by adding Soren Carlson, a two-time New Mexico High School State Champion, to their 2027 roster. This young talent is set to trade the mountain views of Albuquerque for the academic and athletic powerhouse of Palo Alto, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes.
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps (https://fitterandfaster.com/), the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel, understands the dedication it takes to turn a lifelong dream into reality. They’re not just celebrating Soren’s achievement but also honoring the coaches, family, and friends who’ve supported him every stroke of the way. Swimming in college isn’t just about the laps; it’s about the journey, the sacrifices, and the triumphs along the way.
Soren Carlson’s journey to Stanford is nothing short of inspiring. As a freshman at Albuquerque Academy, he made a splash at the New Mexico State Championships, securing top-8 finishes in the 50 free (22.22) and 100 free (48.71). But that was just the beginning. And this is the part most people miss: Carlson didn’t just improve—he dominated. By his sophomore year, he swept his individual events, anchoring relays to gold and setting personal bests in the 50 (20.77) and 100 free (45.34). His team, Albuquerque Academy, clinched nine event wins and a staggering 356.5 points, leaving their competitors in the dust.
Carlson’s success didn’t stop at high school. Swimming for Charger Aquatics at the Sectionals in Austin, he continued to shatter his own records. He broke the 45-second barrier in the 100 free (44.98) and dipped under 1:40 in the 200 free (1:38.94), proving he’s a force to be reckoned with in the pool. His summer long course season was equally impressive, winning the 100 and 200 free at the Western Zone Senior Championships with new personal bests of 52.26 and 1:55.53, respectively.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Carlson’s current times are impressive, they’ll need to improve significantly to compete at the ACC level. Stanford’s standards are sky-high, with second-swim qualifiers at ACCs clocking in at 19.41, 42.78, and 1:34.41—all faster than Carlson’s current bests. However, with two years of high school swimming left, Carlson has ample time to close the gap. By the time he joins the Dan Schemmel-led program in 2027, Stanford will have lost key sprinters like Rafael Gu, Jonathan Tan, Andrei Minakov, and Andres Dupont, leaving room for new talent to shine.
Stanford’s recruiting strategy is bold, to say the least. Their 2026 class is packed with sprinting powerhouses like Maxwell Stanislaus and Nathan Foucu, and Carlson’s class is even more impressive. Joining him in Palo Alto are four of the top 20 recruits in SwimSwam’s Way Too Early Rankings: Luke Vatev (#2), Owen Ekk (#10), Connor Christopherson (#15), Yi Zheng (#19), and Honorable Mention Jacob Bougaieff. Is Stanford building the next dynasty, or are they setting themselves up for unrealistic expectations? Let us know what you think in the comments!
If you’ve got a commitment to share, don’t hesitate! Send an email with a landscape photo and a quote to [emailprotected]. And if you’re looking to elevate your swimming game, check out Fitter and Faster Swim Camps. With year-round camps across the USA and Canada, led by elite swimmers and coaches, they’re the go-to resource for competitive swimmers of all levels. Follow them on Instagram (@fitterandfasterswimtour), Facebook (@fitterandfastertour), and Twitter (@fitterandfaster) to stay in the loop.
Final thought: As Soren Carlson prepares to make his mark at Stanford, one question lingers—will he rise to the occasion and become a Cardinal legend, or will the pressure of college swimming prove too much? Only time will tell. What’s your take? Share your thoughts below!
