Jessie Carlson, who was a finalist at the 2024 Canadian Olympic Trials in May, is headed to Tempe to compete for Arizona State University starting in the fall of 2025.
“I am so thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic career at Arizona State University!! Couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends, family and coaches! I’m especially grateful to Herbie, Alex, Derek and the entire ASU coaching staff for this insane opportunity. Can’t wait for what’s next! Go Sun Devils!”
A senior at Charles Spencer High School in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Carlson currently trains with the Grande Prairie Piranhas Swim Club, where she primarily specializes in butterfly and breaststroke.
At the 2024 Canadian Trials, Carlson placed 19th in the 200-meter fly in a time of 2:21.02, just off of her personal best. She also contested the 100-meter fly, posting a lifetime best 1:04.06 to finish 52nd overall.
Carlson competed at the Ontario Junior International (SCM) meet back in December, where she racked up a series of lifetime best performances. Her top performance came in the 200 fly, where she placed 8th in 2:16.95 just after throwing down a best time of 2:16.68 in prelims. Carlson also placed 15th in the 100 fly (1:02.58 – PB), 17th in the 100 breast (1:12.78 – PB), 24th in the 50 breast (34.11 – PB) and 22nd in the 200 breast (2:39.44).
Carlson’s most recent competition was at the Alberta Winter Provincial Championships (LCM) in March, which saw her post two new best times and five season-best times. She was the runner-up in the 100 breast (1:14.74) and took 4th in the 200 breast (2:44.08), both lifetime best performances. Other top performances for Carlson included a 3rd-place finish in the 200 fly (2:21.34) and 6th-place finish in the 100 fly (1:04.82).
Best Times
| Event | LCM | SCM | Fastest SCY Conversion |
| 100 fly | 1:04.06 | 1:02.58 | 56.37 |
| 200 fly | 2:17.59 | 2:16.68 | 2:01.43 |
| 100 breast | 1:14.74 | 1:12.78 | 1:05.53 |
| 200 breast | 2:44.08 | 2:36.64 | 2:21.11 |
A Division I program led by head coach Herbie Behm, the Arizona State women wrapped up their first season in the Big 12 Conference with a victory at the conference championships. The Sun Devils sent eight women on to compete at the NCAA Championships in March, where they finished 19th overall, a step up from their 24th-place finish in 2024.
Based on the results from the 2025 Big 12 Championships, Carlson would have landed in the ‘C’ final in the 200 fly with her converted time, putting her in position to be an early contributor to the team.
Carlson is not the only Piranhas swimmer to commit to an American university; earlier this year Oliver Dawson announced his verbal commitment to swim for Indiana University-Bloomington beginning in the fall of 2026. Carlson is also following in the footsteps of former Grande Prairie teammate Jordan Greber, who just completed her first season with the Sun Devils.
Currently set to join Carlson at Arizona State next season are Ursula Ott, Isabella Tramontana, Eleaunah Phillips, Cali Watts, Marley Lovick and Alexia Sotomayor, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
