Beata Nelson, National High School Record Holder, Commits To Wisconsin

Photo Courtesy: Loree Nelson

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National high school record holder Beata Nelson just gave the Wisconsin Badgers another potential NCAA champion, making a verbal commitment to attend the school next fall.

Nelson, the national high school record holder in the 100 butterfly, is staying in her native Wisconsin to help beef up coach Whitney Hite’s program. When she arrives on campus next year, she’ll join transfer Cierra Runge as a new member of the team as the two look to bring Wisconsin into a possible top 10 finish at the NCAA championships.

Nelson has been making great inroads these past two years in the 100 butterfly, transitioning from also-ran to national high school record holder. The Verona Area High School star posted a 51.70 in the 100 butterfly at last November’s Wisconsin high school championships, which held as the overall national record until Katie McLaughlin broke it the following May. (Nelson’s time still stands as the national public high school record.)

Nelson went even faster a week later at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Minneapolis with a 51.08. If she can swim that time this month at the Wisconsin high school meet, she’ll reclaim her place as the fastest in the 100 butterfly in high school history.

Nelson’s current best time would have been a top-eight finish at the NCAA championships, and when she races as a freshman for Wisconsin, she could contend for the national title with the likes of California’s McLaughlin and others.

Nelson’s expertise in the pool isn’t limited to her 100 butterfly. She could tackle the 100 fly-100 back double at the NCAA championships, and score big points in both. A lifetime best of 51.67 in the 100 back wouldn’t score as high as her 100 fly, but it would still make a big statement for the Badgers. Look for Nelson to also excel for Hite in the 200 IM, thanks to a 1:57.88 lifetime best.

Nelson would be a key freestyle relay component for Wisconsin. She is capable of a sub-22 second split on the 200 free relay (lifetime best 22.51) and will be vital in the 400 free relay (lifetime best 49.02).

Though Nelson excels in short course thanks to superb underwater kicking skills, she is no slouch in the long course pool. She broke 1:00 for the first time in the long course 100 fly at the U.S. nationals with a 59.97, which placed second in the C final and was 15th overall. In addition to owning Olympic Trials times in the 100 fly, she qualified in the 50 and 100 freestyles, the 100 back and the 200 IM.

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Charlene Tallen

8 years ago

Good job! Beata is fun to watch. Great underwater work!!