This is an update on a former JHS, PVMS, UES student, Ben Hesen. Many of you may remember him and his incredible high school swimming career. (Four individual state championships, every Jeff High swimming record, still the current Indiana High School State Record holder in the 100 Back, etc.) More recently you may have heard of his 4th place finish at the NCAA championships as a sophomore two years ago and this year’s runner-up finish at the NCAA championships (which included a Big 10 Conference record in the 100 Back.)
I have more news to share.
First, and most important, for all of you that had Ben as a student, he is on track to graduate from IU in the spring of 2008. He has never been on academic probation by the university nor has he ever been on academic watch with the IU swim program. He will complete a degree in general studies within his four years. (A side-note, his swimming side-kick, Reed Martin, also swam at IU during this time and although he was not as successful in swimming as Ben, Reed graduated from the IU Kelley school of business this spring – in 3 years!)
As far as swimming –
Ben has continued to improve in his time at IU. He has been named team captain for the upcoming season. He has qualified to swim in the 2008 Olympic Trials in three different events. This past summer he was invited to a meet in Portugal where he won, but had to turn down (NCAA rules) $10,000 in prize money. This past month he placed third in the 100 Back at the USA National Championships. He was leading at the half-way mark of the race, under the WORLD RECORD time and ahead of the only swimmer many of you may be able to name –Michael Phelps. Although he was out-touched and finished third, the swim earned him a spot on the USA National Team that is currently competing at a meet in Chiba, Japan. Ben’s swims this summer have left him ranked number 9 in the 100 Back in the World for 2007. That is correct, he is ranked number 9 in the World.
Keith Gast
