Here’s a story that’s bound to make waves in the swimming world: Ben Jaggers, the NAG Relay Record Holder, has just given his verbal commitment to Arizona State University, setting the stage for an exciting future in college swimming. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing—Jaggers isn’t just any swimmer; he’s a rising star with a track record of breaking records and dominating in the backstroke events. Could he be the next big name to watch in NCAA swimming?
This announcement comes as part of the Fitter and Faster Swim Camps (https://fitterandfaster.com/) sponsorship of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel, which celebrates the dedication and hard work of swimmers like Jaggers. For many athletes, swimming in college is more than just a sport—it’s a lifelong dream fueled by years of relentless effort. Fitter and Faster takes pride in honoring these swimmers and the support systems that help them achieve their goals.
Arizona State University has scored a major win by securing Jaggers for the 2027-2028 school year. Hailing from Texas, where he competes for Waterloo Swimming and attends Anderson High School in Austin, Jaggers is no stranger to success in the pool. In his own words, shared with SwimSwam, he expressed his excitement: ‘I’m extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Arizona State University! I’m grateful to my family, coaches, and friends for their unwavering support. A special shoutout to Coach Will for believing in me and pushing me to be my best, and to Coach Herbie and the ASU staff for giving me this incredible opportunity. Forks up!’
One of Jaggers’ standout moments came at the 2025 Speedo Sectionals in Justin, where he claimed the title of sectionals champion in the 100-yard backstroke with a blistering time of 47.96—the only swimmer to dip below 48.5 seconds. He also secured a 4th-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke, clocking a personal best of 1:47.79. But that’s not all—this summer, Jaggers added another feather to his cap by becoming a national age group record holder (https://swimswam.com/waterloo-swimming-cracks-national-15-16-age-group-record-in-boys-200-medley-relay/). Leading off Waterloo’s 15-16 long course 200 medley relay, his 50-yard backstroke split of 26.16 helped the team set a historic mark of 1:44.53, the fastest ever for their age group.
Jaggers’ impressive short course yard (SCY) times speak for themselves:
- 100 back: 47.96
- 200 back: 1:47.79
- 50 back: 22.35
- 100 free: 46.48
- 50 free: 21.13
When Jaggers arrives in Tempe, he’ll join a program with a rich history in backstroke excellence. The Sun Devils boast Olympic gold medalist Hubi Kos (https://swimswam.com/tag/hubi-kos/), who holds the team records in the 100 and 200 backstroke events. While Kos has since transferred to Texas, ASU has welcomed another backstroke powerhouse: U.S. Open Record holder Adam Chaney (https://swimswam.com/bio/adam-chaney/). In his first season with the team, Chaney has already made waves, becoming the program’s 4th fastest 100 backstroker ever with a time of 44.49. And this is the part most people miss—with such a strong backstroke lineup, Jaggers will have no shortage of elite training partners to push him to new heights.
On the conference level, the Sun Devils are no slouches. They recently dominated the Big 12 Championship, and Jaggers’ current times in the 100 and 200 backstroke would already place him in the B and C finals, respectively. However, to make a splash at the NCAA level or lead off ASU’s medley relay, Jaggers will need to shave off more time before stepping onto campus. Given his recent progress, further improvement seems not just possible, but likely.
Jaggers will be joined in ASU’s Class of 2031 by a talented group of swimmers, including butterfliers Gavin Halusic (https://swimswam.com/tag/gavin-halusic/) and Aidan Collins, sprint breaststroker Thor Johannessen, and freestyler Harrison Tater. This incoming class is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Controversial Question: With ASU already boasting a strong backstroke lineup, will Jaggers be able to stand out and secure a spot in the NCAA Championships, or will he get lost in the shadow of his teammates? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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In This Story:
- Adam Chaney (https://swimswam.com/bio/adam-chaney/)
