Jayhawk sets two state swim records

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SALT LAKE CITY — Will Jones, a senior at St. Joseph Catholic High School, finished out his high school swim career by breaking two state records at the state tournament Feb. 10-11 at Wasatch Athletic Center.

Jones, who has swum competitively since he was 8, broke two records last year at state: in the 200 yard freestyle and the 100 yard backstroke. This year he broke his own record (51.56) in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 49:32, and also set a new record in the 200 individual medley (1:50:03).  

“He broke them both on the first day and then he rebroke them in the finals,” coach Tim Boothe said.

Jones was named 3A State Champion in those events and also the 2023 3A Male of the Meet.

Although Jones was a very strong swimmer last year, “I’ve seen a lot of growth in him in the past year,” Boothe said. “When he finished out the season last year he was already an elite athlete, but this year there seemed to be a whole another level of maturity and devotion. He had a new drive that really pushed him to want to excel.”

Observing Jones in the water was a great experience for Boothe and the other swimmers, the coach said.

“When he would swim, all the other teams would just gather around the deck and they would just sit there and watch him, mouths open, amazed that a human being could swim that fast,” Boothe said.  

While Jones is moving on to college – he has been awarded a scholarship at the U.S. Naval Academy – his younger brother Gabe seems poised to follow in his footsteps.

A sophomore, Gabe Jones placed first in two events at state: With a time of 51.50 he was the state champ in the 100 butterfly, and also in the 200 freestyle (26.97).

“I’m really looking to him coming out next year,” Boothe said of Gabe Jones. “I think he’s going to just be another dominant force.”

The brothers are the sons of Clay Jones, St. Joseph Catholic High School’s principal. The Jayhawks train and compete alongside the Ben Lomond High School team, where Boothe is also the coach.