Courtesy: John Pringle
Wenatchee High School senior Ben Madson produced some incredible backstrokes wims at the Washington State 4A Championships on February 21st and 22nd at the King County Aquatic Center. Madson, a versatile swimmer who is still without a college landing spot, is searching for a college program to call home.
In the 4A prelims, Madson led off Wenatchee High School’s 200 medley relay with an incredible 21.98 lead-off backstroke leg that surprised and delighted the KCAC crowd. His team would earn the 5th seed in the event for Saturday’s finals.
Madson, who is from Wenatchee and swims with Velocity Swimming (Inland Empire), also earned the top seed for finals in the 50 freestyle posting an All-American Consideration time of 20.48. In his next event, the 100 backstroke, Madson stunned the crowd, swimming an All-American Automatic Time of 47.97 which also bettered the All-Time State Record in the event in any classification of 48.10 held by Thomas Anderson of Federal Way High School since 2014. Anderson then contacted Madson via Instagram, congratulating him on breaking the record. “That was pretty cool of him to contact me and congratulate me,” said Madson, “not many people would take the time to do that.”
Saturday’s finals saw more fireworks, with Madson earning an All-American Automatic time in the 50 freestyle in 20.35, finishing 2nd behind Issaquah High School’s Aaron Bell while also setting a new school record in the process.
In the 100 back, Madson broke his own newly set record, improving to 47.82. Later, Madson led off his 400 free relay team, setting a school record of 45.37 and earning an All-American Consideration time.
In all, Madson set four school records this season in the 50 free, 100 fly, 100 free, and 100 fack. He also swam a decent 200 IM, just missing the school record in a dual meet by posting a time of 1:52.99 unshaved and without a speed suit.
Over the course of his career, Madson has a total of five top-two finishes at State Meets, earning two championship titles in 2024 along with two 2A records with Pullman High School, a 2nd-place finish for Wenatchee in the 100 back in 2023, and a 2nd-place AAA swim in the 50 free this season to go along with his title in the 100 back for Wenatchee. In all, he has three All-American Automatic and two AAC swims in his high school career.
Madson had previously committed to Missouri, but due to the changes in NCAA rules and NIL, his offer was revoked, leaving him searching for a place to call home for the 2025-2026 intercollegiate season.
WVU needs swimmers
Don’t know the kid personally, but I hope that he excels and dominates Missouri swimmers in the future. He’s fast enough to swim there. Make them pay, Ben.
I highly doubt the Mizzou coaches are happy about having to tell Ben there is no room. Hard to ‘make them pay’ when it is a numbers issue.
University of Tampa, Drury, Dennison, Kenyon – the D2 and D3 (at least the D3 schools) are academically sound and he’d be a great point scoring addition to many schools.
Whitman college ? Amazing school and great track record of developing top level backstroke.
Call Drury U.
This is the harsh reality of the SEC right now. With the 22 limit, coaches want swimmers who can score immediately, so high school seniors are competing with juniors and seniors in college. Mizzou’s fastest returning backstroker scored in the 2 breast at SECs. Probably looking for a transfer to fill that gap.
I sure hope he finds a school. These stories are heartbreaking. I’ve told my son that no matter where he commits (if he is fortunate enough to secure a position), that he will still need to apply to at least a handful of colleges he would be happy to attend because nothing is a given anymore. This, of course, means that he would not get to swim at those schools, but at least he would have some options on the table if his offer is rescinded and he doesn’t want to take a gap year. Obviously, the class of 2025 could not have predicted this, but from here on out, no offer should be considered a done deal and kids… Read more »
It is just exciting to read about any and every swimmer doing well. We should all support this.