A Rising Star Emerges: Jett Hatchard Dominates at the 2025 UT SC Senior Championships!
Get ready to be amazed! At the 2025 UT SC Senior Championships held at the Human Performance Center in Utah Tech University, St. George, UT, from December 4th to 7th, 13-year-old Jett Hatchard of Omega Aquatics showcased incredible talent, leaving spectators in awe. He swam in a SCY (25 yards) pool and delivered outstanding performances in backstroke events.
Event Details:
- Event: 2025 UT SC Senior Championships
- Dates: December 4-7, 2025
- Location: Human Performance Center, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT
- Pool Type: SCY (25 yards)
- Meet Mobile: "2025 UT SC Senior Championships"
Jett, the youngest swimmer in both the boys’ 100 and 200 backstroke finals by at least two years, made a significant impact. In the 100 backstroke, he qualified for the 'A' final, finishing 7th with a time of 52.33, which was a remarkable improvement of over eight-tenths of a second. It's worth noting that in the finals, he was the only swimmer under the age of 15. Although he clocked a slightly slower time of 52.86 in the finals, his performance was still noteworthy.
But here's where it gets exciting: Hatchard achieved an even faster time of 52.23 in the 100 backstroke as the leadoff leg of the 400 medley relay! This time is a testament to his exceptional speed and endurance.
The 200 backstroke also saw Hatchard's talent shine. His preliminary time of 1:55.44 was a massive improvement, beating his previous best by over three and a half seconds, which earned him 5th place for the evening's 'A' final.
In the 200 backstroke final, despite being the youngest competitor by two years, Hatchard impressively improved his time by over two seconds, securing 4th place with a time of 1:53.27.
Hatchard's Impressive Records
Jett, who recently turned 13, already holds multiple Utah State Swimming records in the 11-12 age group, including:
- 50 freestyle: 23.46
- 100 freestyle: 50.52
- 200 freestyle: 1:51.23
- 50 backstroke: 25.76
- 200 backstroke: 1:59.01
- 100 IM: 57.90
His 100 backstroke time from these championships was just over a second off Jarod Arroyo's 13-14 Utah record of 51.01 from 2015. Currently, Hatchard's 100 backstroke ranks 19th in the 13-14 age group this season, and his 200 backstroke is ranked 17th.
Other Notable Performances
- Emma Staskus, 14, set two Utah girls’ 13-14 short course records in the 50 breaststroke (29.49) and 200 breaststroke (2:16.24). Her 50 breaststroke time is also the fastest in Utah across all age groups.
- Conner Fellingham, 15, also set a 50 breaststroke record, lowering the 15-16 boys' mark to 27.07.
- Alyssa Soderquist, 17, claimed the 17-18 girls’ Utah short course record in the 50 butterfly, clocking 25.45.
- Luan Barnard and Henry Helgesen each broke a boys’ 17-18 age group record. Barnard, 17, won the 50 backstroke in 22.35, setting a new state age-group record. Helgesen, 17, finished 2nd in the 50 breaststroke with a time of 26.08, also lowering the 17-18 record.
- Erin Palmer, 21, secured two individual wins, including a Senior short-course record in the women’s 50 free, finishing in 22.21.
- Bridger Smith, 21, set a new senior age group record in the men’s 50 breaststroke, winning the event overall with a time of 26.06.
What do you think of Jett's incredible achievements? Do you believe he has the potential to become a future swimming superstar? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
