Auburn Picks Up 2021 Verbals from Junior National Finalists Henry Bethel and Mason Mathias

Photo Courtesy: Henry Bethel / Mason Mathias

NEW COMMIT: After originally committing to Indiana, Dalton, Ga. native Henry Bethel – as well as Mason Mathias of Leeds, Ala. – have both announced their verbal commitments to Auburn University as members of the class of 2025.

Both swimmers will join Fletcher Hayes, Jacques Rathle, Andrew Simmons, Grant Davis and Nate Stoffle at the start of the 2021-22 season.

HENRY BETHEL

Photo Courtesy: Henry Bethel via CollegeSwimming

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“After withdrawing my previous commitment on February 14th, I have reevaluated my college decision. After much prayer, discussion with my parents, and personal contemplation, I have decided to continue my academic and swimming career at Auburn University! Firstly, I would like to thank Coach Looze and his staff for being very hospitable to me and being willing to offer me a chance to be a part of their amazing program. Secondly, I am thrilled with my new decision and am grateful for Coach Taylor’s willingness to recruit me. Through conversation and visits, I feel that Auburn provides me with incredible opportunities to be the best swimmer, student, and man that I can hope to be! I am jubilant for the chance to be a part of the AUsome future at Auburn!”

Bethel, who owns three U.S. Open cuts and four Junior National standards, swims year-round with Carpet Capital Aquatics Club. He raced to sixth in the 100 breast and seventh in the 200 IM at Juniors East in December and placed 16th in the 100m breast and 17th in the 200m IM at Junior Nationals last long course season as well.

His best times include:

100 breast – 54.31
200 breast – 2:04.80
200 IM – 1:47.00
400 IM – 4:04.43

A rising senior at Dalton High School, Bethel is a six-time Georgia 6A/7A State Championship finalist. He won the 100 breast and 200 IM as a sophomore and as a junior while earning the runner-up spot in both of those events during his freshman season. He has also earned USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors for his efforts.

MASON MATHIAS

Photo Courtesy: Mason Mathias via CollegeSwimming

Regarding his commitment, he said:

“I’m super excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at Auburn University! I chose Auburn for its awesome team atmosphere, great coaching staff, and great academic and athletic facilities. I’d like to thank my family, friends, coaches, and teammates for pushing and supporting me, as well as the Auburn staff for giving me this opportunity. I’m thankful to God for giving me the talent and ability to continue swimming at the next level and can’t wait to be an Auburn Tiger! WAR EAGLE!”

A talented distance freestyler, Mathias does his club swimming with Birmingham Swim League and owns three Junior Nationals cuts. He most recently registered five top-8 finishes at the Southeastern Championships after earning 100% best times at Juniors East where his highest finish was a 12th-place showing in the mile. Last summer, he earned silver in the 800m free and bronze in the 1500m free at the Southeastern LCM Championships.

His best times include:

500 free – 4:27.62
1000 free – 9:24.19
1650 free – 15:35.51
400 IM – 4:03.22

Also competing for Briarwood Christian School, Mathias is a six-time Alabama State Championship finalist. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American won the 200/500 free combo during both his sophomore and junior seasons while placing third and first, respectively, in those events as a freshman.

If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.

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