Cal Picks Up 2028 Verbal From European Junior Silver Medalist Noelle Benkler
NEW COMMIT: The University of California, Berkeley has scored a verbal commitment for Fall 2028 from international standout Noelle Benkler of Regensburg, Germany. Benkler is a backstroke and IM specialist.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“im SOOO excited and happy to announce my verbal commitment to the university of California, Berkeley to continue my athletic and academic career starting in fall 2028! HUGE thanks to everyone who supported me, especially my family, friends, coaches, physiotherapists and teammates! A special thank you to Coach Dave, Maya and Noah and the whole Cal stuff for making this possible and believing in me!! I’m so grateful for this opportunity and super hyped to join this amazing swim team can’t wait to be a golden bear AND a california girl GOOOO BEEAAAAARRSSS!”
Benkler trains year-round with SV Nikar Heidelberg. She most recently competed at European Championships in the 200m IM and 400m IM.
She earned silver medals in the 200m IM and 400m IM at the 2025 European Junior Championships. Benkler then placed fifth in the 200m IM at World Junior Championships a month later.
In LCM, her best times include:
- 200m IM – 2:12.54
- 400m IM – 4:39.01
- 100m back – 1:02.14
- 200m back – 2:13.92
- 200m free – 2:02.94
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 200 IM – 1:56.39
- 400 IM – 4:05.81
- 100 back – 52.16
- 200 back – 1:53.63
- 200 free – 1:47.52
Benkler won the 100 back, 200 IM and 400 IM at the German Short Course Championships last November. She then finished fourth in the 400 IM at the European Short Course Championships.
The Golden Bears finished third at the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and fourth at the 2026 NCAA Championships. Benkler’s best time (converted to yards) in the 400 IM would’ve scored in the top 16 at last year’s national championship.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
