Beata Nelson is a competitive swimmer who represents the United States. She is a 3x NCAA champion, 9x NCAA All-American, and 2022 World Cup Circuit overall champion.
As a high school swimmer, Beata broke the national public high school record in the 100 fly twice, first at 51.70, which was also the national high school record at the time, and then lowered it to 51.62. Both races also broke the 15-16 NAG record in the event, which Nelson would go on to lower again to 51.08. Nelson finished her high school career with 12 Wisconsin state titles to her name.
On October 30, 2015, Nelson, the #2 recruit in the class of 2016, announced she would opt to stay in her hometown of Madison and compete for the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
College (Wisconsin)
2016-2017
Nelson earned an All-American honorable mention through being a part of Wisconsin’s 12th place 200 medley relay at the 2017 NCAA Championships. She also earned 17th place finishes in the 200 back and 400 medley relay.
2017-2018
Nelson hit her stride during her sophomore year, first earning the B1G swimmer of the meet honors for her 1st place finishes in the 100 back (51.05) and 200 back (1:49.59) as well as 2nd place finish in the 200 IM (1:53.85).
At the NCAA champs Nelson earned 3 All-American honors, finishing 2nd in the 100 back (49.92), 3rd in the 200 back (1:49.27), and 6th in the 200 IM (1:53.54).
2018-2019
Nelson followed up 2018 by repeating as B1G swimmer of the meet, defending her titles in the 100 back (49.83) and 200 back (1:48.37) as well as adding a title in the 200 IM (1:52.27).
Nelson continued her momentum at the NCAA championships, sweeping her 3 individual events in times of 1:50.79 (200 IM), 49.18 (100 back), and 1:47.26 (200 back). She swam the 2nd fastest performance ever in the 200 IM, broke every record in the books in the 100 back, and broke the NCAA and meet (but not US Open or American) record in the 200 back. She was awarded swimmer of the meet for her efforts.
For her accomplishments, Nelson earned the NCAA Female of the Year Swammy Award.
National/International Competition
2023 World Cup Circuit
Nelson totaled 12 medals on the 2023 World Cup Series over the course of the 3-meet circuit, nine gold and three silver, to go along with her prize money earnings exceeding six figures ($152,000). She finished with 173.7 points to beat out second-place finisher Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong.
Nelson earned triple crowns (winning an event at all 3 stops) in both the 200 back and 200 IM, both of which were swum on the last day of the 3-day meets at all 3 stops.
