Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Ariel Beltran from Mesa, Arizona, has verbally committed to swim and study at Arizona State University beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
“I’m so beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic careers at Arizona State University!! Thank you to my friends, family, and coaches for the continued support. Forks up!!🔱😈”
Beltran is a senior at American Leadership Academy in Gilbert, Arizona, where her father is the coach. Juan Beltran swam for Arizona State in the class of 1998. He was a team captain and a record-setting breaststroker, including the Northern Arizona pool mark for the 100m breast (1:04.09) during an ASU-NAU dual meet in February 1998.
He would go on to a career in public service serving as the Deputy Director of Maricopa County and the Assistant Director of Business Development for the State of Arizona before returning to the private sector as the Chief Financial Officer of Edkey.
Beltran actually has roots with both of Arizona’s flagship state schools: her mom, then April Martin, began her college career at Rice before transferring to swim at the University of Arizona. She was a 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier and a Junior National Champion in the 200 yard backstroke.
At the AIA Division 3 State Meet last November, Ariel came in 2nd in both the 200 IM (2:11.68) and 100 back (1:00.12). In November 2021, the then-sophomore won the IM (2:10.96) and the 100 breast (1:07.82) at the Division 3 Girls’ State Championships.
Beltran has represented Rio Salado Swim Club, then Swim Neptune, and now Gold Medal Swim Club, over the last two years. Most of her SCY best times came from Austin Sectionals and the Arizona Swimming LSC Senior Short Course Championships last March. In Austin, she finaled in the 200 IM and earned PBs in the 100 back, 200 back, and 200 IM. At the state meet, she finaled in all her events (100/200 back, 100/200 breast, 100 fly, and 200 IM) and took home a new PB in the 200 breast.
Best SCY times:
- 100 back – 57.32
- 200 back – 2:06.41
- 200 IM – 2:07.32
- 100 breast – 1:06.92
- 200 breast – 2:25.10
- 100 fly – 58.23
Beltran had big drops during her junior year, knocking off 1.6 seconds from her previous best time in the 100 back and 3.3 seconds in the 200 back.
Beltran will suit up for the Sun Devils in the class of 2028 with Alexa Reyna, Haiden Schoessel, Jordan Greber, and Payden Rafferty. The ASU women finished 5th out of 8 teams at last year’s Pac-12 Championships, but they are beginning to see some heft in their recent recruiting classes.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
Her best times are asu intervals.
I don’t think they do 100s back on :57 buddy 💀
Its ASU not Harvard. This is a no brainer.
Good for her and I’m sure she’s a great girl, but she really pushed those legacy connections, because those times…not necessarily ASU caliber. I hope she does well and has lots of room to improve.
This Juan guy sounds amazing.
Ok, I’ll be the one to say it, those are walk on times for a mid level mid major school at best. Good on her for pushing herself to be her best. I wish her the best and hope she enjoys the entire student athlete experience.
This is coaching 101. You give a former captain’s daughter a spot, given that she has a good time drop trajectory and gets in-state tuition, probably doesn’t take up a scholarship. You can bet she bleeds ASU colors and will contribute passion and energy to that team, and I’m sure the coaches vet you to make sure you’re ready to put in work. Besides, you never know who the next Andrew Wilson will be – her times and versatility have great potential.
Wealthy…politically well-connected parents…I mean yeah. Is she slower than most Arizona State recruits? Yes. She did have big drops as a junior, though, and if she repeats that as a senior she’ll be in a good spot going into her freshman year.
Worst case, she gives it a crack for a year and realizes it’s not a good fit, but you’ve made an important alumni (and probably donor) happy. There are worse ways to use a roster spot when you’re in rebuilding mode. Probably gets good grades too, and isn’t going to ask for scholarship money.
No need to hate. No doubt she has worked hard to get where she is and will excel. Often times it’s the connections you make in the world that help lift you to new levels.
I think thats a little harsh. A 2:06 200 Back in any D1 mid major is likely an A final time, a little drastic to say she would only be a walk on “at best” for a mid major. She would be a scorer (A finals or top of A finals) as a freshman in all her events in almost any mid major.
They got a good one with a ton of potential
Congrats Ariel!