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Jonathan Payne has committed to swim at Old Dominion University for his collegiate career. He hails from Richmond, Virginia, where he swims for Nova of Virginia and attends Mills E. Godwin High School. He will join the Big Blue in the fall of 2026 as their first commit in the class.
He publicized the announcement on social media, writing:
“I’m thrilled to announce my commitment to swim Division 1 at Old Dominion University! I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my family, friends, and coaches along the way, and I give all glory to God, because nothing is possible without Him. I want to thank Coach Jess, Ethan, and Liz for the opportunity, and I’m excited for the next chapter of my life. GO MONARCHS!!”
Payne is a distance freestyle specialist who also excels in the 400 IM. He had an amazing 2024-25 season, dropping significant time in all of his primary events. He started the season with a best time of 4:46.12 in the 500 free but ended with 4:33.59, improved from 1:51.85 to 1:42.91 in the 200 free, cut his 400 IM from 4:20.96 to 4:02.06, and slashed over a minute off his 1650 free, going from 16:31.79 to 15:27.34.
His target meet for the 2024-25 high school season was the VHSL Class 5A State Championship, held in early March, where he competed in the 200 and 500 free. He walked away with bronze in the 500 and sixth in the 200, recording the best times mentioned previously. He also helped Mills E. Godwin’s 400 free relay grab eighth with a personal-best 47.94 on the leadoff leg.
Payne wrapped up his season with NOVA at the NCSA Spring Championship a few weeks later, where he threw down his 15:27.34 in the mile to place sixth. He also nabbed 14th in the 1000 free in a lifetime best of 9:15.15, although that event is not contested at championship meets at the collegiate level, only dual meets. He also recorded his current 400 IM career best for 37th, added a bit to 4:35.54 for 39th in the 500, and logged 1:46.02 for 176th in the 200 free.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 Freestyle: 1:42.91
- 500 Freestyle: 4:33.59
- 1650 Freestyle: 15:27.34
- 400 IM: 4:02.06
A Division I Mid-Major program, ODU’s men’s team competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference; the Monarchs took fourth at the 2025 ASUN Championships back in February. Based on results from this past season’s competition, Payne would have won gold in the 1650 free if he matched his personal best. Additionally, he would have landed in the ‘B’ final in the 500 free and 400 IM, and the ‘C’ final in the 200 free, setting him up to be a key contributor in multiple events right from the start.
On the team, Payne is poised to be the fastest miler, the fastest 400 IMer, second-fastest in the 500 free, and 10th in the 200 free next season—though this does not account for incoming freshmen who have yet to publicize their commitments.
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