54.3 Breaststroker Henry Bethel (2021) Switches Verbal From Indiana To Auburn

Fitter and Faster Swim Clinics is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Henry Bethelone of the top breaststrokers in the high school class of 2021, has changed his college commitment from Indiana to Auburn.

We reported on Bethel’s original commitment last October. But in an Instagram post, Bethel says he withdrew his commitment in February, and as of early March, had committed to swim at Auburn:

Bethel swims for Carpet Capital Aquatics Club and Dalton High School in Dalton, Georgia, where he’s the two-time Georgia 6A swimmer of the year. He’s one of the better 100 breaststrokers in his recruiting class (the current group of high school juniors), and also has a fast-rising 200 IM.

Bethel’s Top Times

  • 100y breast: 54.31
  • 200y breast: 2:04.80
  • 200y IM: 1:47.00
  • 200y free: 1:40.79

As of last spring, Bethel was just 1:50.2 in the 200 IM, so his drop to 1:47.0 has to be an exciting prospect for Auburn. He played football through his sophomore year of high school and is just starting to see his swimming rise. Bethel has also typically put up lifetime-best swims at NCSAs in the spring, so his times might have been primed to drop further had that meet not been canceled in the coronavirus pandemic.

He’s also put up relay splits of 20.4, 44.1 and 1:37.1 in freestyle, suggesting he could eventually be a college-level free relay contributor at his current improvement curve.

Bethel joins Fletcher HayesGrant DavisAndrew Simmons, Jacques Rathle and Nate Stoffle in Auburn’s class of 2025. Stoffle recently ranked #19 in the nation in his recruiting class. Rathle was named an honorable mention, and Bethel listed as one of the top breaststrokers outside the ranked swimmers, giving Auburn a solid incoming class for head coach Gary Taylor.

Bethel is a third-generation Auburn student.

 

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour

The Fitter & Faster Swim Tour produces swim clinics featuring elite stars of the sport and the most innovative teaching platforms. FFT Swim Clinics can be customized to meet age and skill level of every team and community. Call 786-837-6880 or visit http://www.fitterandfaster.com/ to learn more.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour

Facebook – @fitterandfastertour

Twitter – @fitterandfaster

FFT is a SwimSwam partner.

9
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

9 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Swimmom
3 years ago

Dodged a bullet…of this I have first hand knowledge!

swimfan210_
Reply to  Swimmom
3 years ago

Looks like you did…based on what is happening today

GA Boy
3 years ago

Dare I say it! Look, another good Georgia boy!

Sam H
3 years ago

I’ve gotten to know Henry from various meets over the years, and he is a great, genuine guy. Best of luck to him, and the great class Auburn has now!

Cinderblock
3 years ago

Henry is a close friend of mine, and a rival come High School season! He has completely untapped potential, and I don’t think he’s even scratched the surface of what he is capable of. Not to mention versatile across just about every event 200 yards and under. Hard to see Henry not top 5 next year on the re-rank!

Swimmer2345
Reply to  Cinderblock
3 years ago

Well said! An absolutely wonderful person in and out of the water

congrats!
3 years ago

Great choice! Best of luck !

Cinderblock
Reply to  congrats!
3 years ago

What do people gain from down-voting comments like this?

Texas A&M Swim Fan
Reply to  Cinderblock
3 years ago

The only explanation I can think of is that the “down votes” are from the Indiana fans😞. Wishing him the best at Auburn!

About Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson swam for nearly twenty years. Then, Jared Anderson stopped swimming and started writing about swimming. He's not sick of swimming yet. Swimming might be sick of him, though. Jared was a YMCA and high school swimmer in northern Minnesota, and spent his college years swimming breaststroke and occasionally pretending …

Read More »