Cal Lands Another Big 2028 Verbal From Junior Pan Pacs Silver Medalist Charlie Cancelmo
NEW COMMIT: The University of California, Berkeley has added yet another huge verbal commitment in what’s shaping up to be a monster Class of 2028. Charlie Cancelmo of Seattle, Wash. – who is the best butterflyer in the class – announced his verbal pledge to the Golden Bears.
He will join David Sammons, Grant Bellin, Cullen Kahl and Kai Joyner in Berkeley as a member of the Golden Bears’ Class of 2032.
His older sister, Caroline Cancelmo, is a sophomore swimmer at Penn.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am extremely excited and blessed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of California, Berkeley A huge thank you to my family, friends, and teammates for all of their support. I’m also grateful to every coach I’ve worked with along the way, especially Coach Derek and all of the coaches at SMAC. A special thank you to Coach Durden, Coach Noah, and the entire Cal staff for believing in me and guiding me throughout this process. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Cal legacy and can’t wait to get started! GO BEARS!!”
Cancelmo is a member of the 2026-27 U.S. National Junior Team in the 100 fly and 200 fly. He earned silver at Junior Pan Pacs and took 13th in the 200m fly.
Training year-round with Seattle Metropolitan Aquatic Club, Cancelmo finished 17th in the 100m fly and 20th in the 200m fly at USA Swimming Nationals this past summer. Last winter, he earned silver in the 200 fly and bronze in the 100 fly at Juniors West where he also won the B-final of the 200 IM.
He owns the fastest times in his class in the 100 fly and 200 fly.
His best times include:
- 100 fly – 46.65
- 200 fly – 1:42.00
- 200 IM – 1:46.56
- 50 free – 20.53
- 100 free – 44.08
- 200 free – 1:35.64
- 100 back – 48.94
- 200 back – 1:46.65
Currently a junior at Lakeside High School, Cancelmo won the 100 fly and 200 free at the 2026 Washington 3A State Championship. The NISCA All-American won the 100 fly and 100 back at the state meet in 2025 as a freshman.
The Golden Bears won their second straight Atlantic Coast Conference championship title in 2026 before placing seventh at the 2026 NCAA Championships. Cal has won 11 conference titles in program history.
Cancelmo’s best time in the 200 fly is already fast enough to have scored in the B-final at last year’s conference meet.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
