NEW COMMIT: One of the top recruits in the Class of 2023, Keaton Jones of Gilbert, Arizona, is headed to the University of California, Berkeley, after he verbally committed to the Golden Bears.
Regarding his commitment, he said:
“I am humbled to announce my verbal commitment to the University of California Berkeley. Thank you to Coach Durden and Coach Kreitler for believing in my potential and giving me this opportunity. I couldn’t have gotten here without my family, Coach Joe, the entire Neptune Team, and the Higley Knights. But the biggest thank you goes to my coach, Alex. I’m the swimmer I am today because of her and I’m lucky to have her in my corner. I am looking forward to wearing blue and gold and representing the Cal Bears!”
Jones, who does his club swimming with Swim Neptune, owns the fastest 200 back time in his class and is the boys’ 13-14 National Age Group record holder in the 200m back.
He raced three events at Wave II of Olympic Trials in Omaha before going on to win all of his events at Arizona Long Course Seniors this past summer. Jones also finished seventh in the 400m IM at the Toyota U.S. Open last November before going on to sweep the backstroke events at Four Corner Sectionals in March.
His best times include:
- 200 back – 1:42.81
- 500 free – 4:22.66
- 200 free – 1:38.00
- 400 IM – 3:51.97
- 100 back – 48.67
- 1000 free – 9:18.11
- 1650 free – 15:22.83
- 100 free – 45.32
- 50 free – 20.70
Currently a junior at Higley High School, Jones won the 100 back and was the runner-up in the 500 free at the Arizona DII State Championships as a sophomore.
Jones will be a great addition to the Golden Bears’ lineup when he arrives on campus as a member of their Class of 2027. His best time in the 200 back is just 2.6 seconds off of scoring range at the 2021 NCAA Championships, and he has nearly two years of club swimming still to go.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
