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Backstroke and IM specialist Ben Witmer has committed to swim at St. Bonaventure University in New York for his collegiate career. Witmer hails from Colorado, swims year-round with the Denver Hilltoppers, and attends Highlands Ranch High School.
I am very excited to announce my Division 1 commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at St. Bonaventure University. I want to thank my family for always believing in me. I would also like to give a big thanks to coach Shawn Smith, and all the other coaches and supporters that have helped me along the way. Lastly I’d like to thank coach Mike Smiechowski for this opportunity. GO BONNIES!!
Witmer’s biggest meet this season was at the Speedo Sectionals in Austin in late March, where he finished 10th in the 200 back (1:48.38), falling just 0.06 short of his personal best from the 2024 Colorado CSI Pioneer Open. He also secured 11th in the 400 IM with a time of 4:00.38, within 1.5 seconds of his PB from the same Pioneer Open meet. Despite these near-misses, Witmer notched career bests in both the 200 IM with a 1:53.42 for 20th and 200 fly with a 1:54.91 for 40th.
The future Bonnie wrapped up his short course season at the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) 5A State Championships in May. Swimming for his high school team, he earned 11th in the 100 back (51.27) and 12th in the 200 IM (1:54.36), while anchoring the 200 medley relay to a 5th-place finish with a 24.18 leadoff split.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 IM: 1:53.42
- 400 IM: 3:59.18
- 100 Backstroke: 51.03
- 200 Backstroke: 1:48.32
The Colorado native is a significant addition for the Bonnies, as his lifetime bests in the 200 back and 400 IM would have ranked third on the depth chart for the 2024-25 season, while his times in the 100 back and 200 IM would have ranked fourth and sixth.
At the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championships, the conference in which St. Bonaventure competes, Cooper would have ranked 10th in the 400 IM and 11th in the 200 back after prelims, earning a spot in the ‘B’ final. This demonstrates his potential to reach an ‘A’ final in his freshman year, with a time of 3:58.92 in the 400 IM being required in 2025. With continued improvement, he’s well-positioned to make a strong push for a top-eight spot in the 200 back, as it took a time of 1:47.29 this past year.
St. Bonaventure placed second out of eight teams at those championships. The Bonnies are led by Mike Smiechowski, who was named head coach for men’s and women’s swimming and diving in July 2022.
Cooper was part of a large signing class for the St. Bonaventure men. He joined Ben Witmer, Corey Beard, Dillon Spooner, Duncan McClaren, and Sam Dellasega in committing to the university’s class of 2030.
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Go Bonnies!!!!