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Biko Hooper-Haviland of Chicago, Illinois has announced his commitment to swim and study at Purdue University starting in the fall of 2025. Hooper-Haviland trains with the Chicago Wolfpack Aquatic Club year-round and races for St. Ignatius College Prep during the high school season. He is a huge addition for Purdue Head Coach Alex Jerden, who took the helm of the program less than two years ago.
I am excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic careers at Purdue University! I want to thank my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for their constant support throughout this process. I also want to thank Coach James and Coach Alex for giving me this amazing opportunity. GO BOILERMAKERS!
Hooper-Haviland, a freestyle and butterfly specialist, swam at the 2024 Winter Junior Championships — West in four events, with his highest finish coming in the 200 fly, where he finished 10th in a best time of 1:45.70. He was 16th in the 500 free as well, finishing with a time of 4:27.57 after going a best time of 4:23.54 in prelims.
The St. Ignatius swimmer claimed a pair of runner-up finishes at the IHSA State Championships in February, touching 2nd in both the 200 and 500 freestyles. He clocked best times in both finals, hitting 1:36.64 in the 200 free and chipping 0.04 off his Winter Juniors mark in the 500 with a time of 4:23.50.
After the IHSA meet, Hooper-Haviland competed in the Illinois Senior State Championships a week later, claiming three individual state titles. He touched the wall 1st in the 50 free (20.58), 1000 free (9:13.77), and 100 fly (47.77), notching lifetime bests in all three. He was 2nd in the 200 fly, just missing his personal mark with a time of 1:46.11.
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 20.58
- 100 Freestyle: 44.85
- 200 Freestyle: 1:36.64
- 500 Freestyle: 4:23.50
- 1000 Freestyle: 9:13.77
- 100 Butterfly: 47.77
- 200 Butterfly: 1:45.70
Hooper-Haviland would’ve been 1st in the 200 fly on the Boilermakers’ depth chart for the 2024-25 season as well as 2nd in both the 100 fly and 500 free. Purdue’s top 200 fly swimmer this past season was junior Wyatt Blair, who posted a 1:46.49 during a time trial at the Big Ten Championships.
The Big Ten Championships run ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ finals, and Hooper-Haviland’s lifetime best in the 200 fly would have placed him 18th out of prelims, earning him a spot in the ‘C’ final. His best time in the 200 free would have just missed out at 25th place, while his 500 free and 100 fly times would have ranked 30th after prelims.
The Boilermakers finished 8th at last season’s conference championships and sent six competitors to the 2025 NCAA Championships, where they placed 17th. Five of those athletes were divers, while one, Brady Samuels, scored in the 100 fly. Samuels notched a time of 44.87 to take 15th in the 100 fly, and he also touched 21st in the 100 free with a time of 41.92. Both performances were new career best times.
Hooper-Haviland joins Matthew Rose, Brody LePine, Jonah Lee, and Johnny Hines as part of Purdue’s class of 2029.
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