Bold claim: California’s top-rated prep star is heading to Stanford for 2027, signaling a strong shift in the next wave of college swimming. But here’s where it gets interesting: the path from high school standout to Cardinal contributor is shaping up to be as diverse as the pool itself.
California State Runner-Up Alex Pletcher has chosen to stay in-state and will join Stanford University, starting in the 2027 season. This announcement follows his recognition as an honorable mention in SwimSwam’s early look at the top recruits for the boys’ high school class of 2027, underscoring his standing among emerging talents.
Pletcher shared his commitment on Instagram with a succinct caption: Go Get ’Em. GO CARD! 🌲🌲
Hailing from San Diego and competing for Point Loma High School, Pletcher is a two-sport athlete, also taking the field in football. As a sophomore, he delivered two standout CIF State Championships swims, both in the top four: he was the runner-up in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:35.63 and placed fourth in the 100 free with a 44.19. Those marks represented his personal bests at the time, with the 200 free remaining his fastest to date.
At the Speedo Winter Junior Championships in Austin (December), Pletcher continued to improve, clocking multiple best times and reaching finals in several events. His best finish came in the 200 free, where he placed fourth in 1:35.73. He also posted a career-best 43.70 in a swim-off to win the 100 free prelims and finished 8th in the 100 free final at 44.10. Additional personal bests came in the 50 free (20.15), the 100 butterfly (48.56), and the 200 fly (1:47.85).
Over his career, Pletcher has earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors twice and has been named a multi-time NISCA All-American, highlighting his consistency and classroom commitment alongside his athletic achievements.
Best Times (SCY):
- 50 Free: 20.15
- 100 Free: 43.70
- 200 Free: 1:35.63
- 500 Free: 4:33.80
- 100 Fly: 48.56
- 200 Fly: 1:47.85
Pletcher is Set to Join a Stanford squad that finished second to Cal at the 2025 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships, a strong measure of the program’s depth and potential for growth.
Looking at Pletcher’s times in the context of that championship field, his current marks would place him outside scoring positions in several events, but with a season and a half remaining before his collegiate debut, there’s clear room for significant progress. His versatility stands out: in addition to sprint and mid-distance free, he brings an extra 500 free capability and could become a staple in Stanford’s lineup across multiple distances.
Despite the obvious strengths, there remains a lot of room for development, and Pletcher could redefine where he stands by the time he steps onto campus. His journey isn’t just about raw speed; it’s about refining technique, racing strategy, and consistency across blocks of competition.
Pletcher will join a notable 2027 Stanford recruiting class, alongside Luke Vatev, Soren Carlson, Jacob Bougaieff, Connor Christopherson, Owen Ekk, and Yi Zheng, among others, suggesting a broader push to elevate the program’s depth and ceiling in the coming years.
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