Versatile Annabel Townsend Hands Princeton 2027 Verbal Commitment
NEW COMMIT: Princeton University has secured a new verbal commitment* for the 2027-28 season from Annabel Townsend of Raleigh, North Carolina. Townsend is a Junior National qualifier who excels in freestyle, IM and backstroke.
She will join Isabel Wu as a member of the Tigers’ Class of 2031.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I am ecstatic to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process at Princeton University! I would like to thank my coaches (especially Coach Silver), parents, Alex, Eliza, and my teammates and best friends for always supporting me. I would also like to thank Coach Abby for offering me this amazing opportunity. So excited, GO TIGERS!!”
Townsend does her club swimming with Marlins of Raleigh and most recently earned eight new best times at the TAC Titans Tar Heel State meet last month. That was a week after she finaled in six events at the NCSA Spring Championships where her highest finish was a 15th-place showing in the 200 back.
Last summer, she placed fourth in the 200m back at North Carolina LCM Seniors and took 23rd in that event at NCSA Summer Championships.
Her best times include:
- 100 back – 55.69
- 200 back – 1:58.01
- 200 IM – 2:02.40
- 400 IM – 4:22.95
- 100 free – 52.72
- 200 free – 1:51.53
- 500 free – 4:56.31
- 1000 free – 10:10.37
Currently a junior at Enloe High School, Townsend finished fourth in the 100 back and eighth in the 200 IM at the 2026 North Carolina 8A State Championships while helping two of her relays earn bronze. She took 12th in the 500 free at the 4A state meet during her sophomore season.
The Tigers won the 2026 Ivy League Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Townsend would’ve scored in the B-final of the 200 back and 500 free at the conference meet.
*IVY LEAGUE DISCLAIMER:* A “verbal commitment” does not guarantee admission. An Ivy League coach cannot guarantee admission but can only commit support in the admissions process.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
