NEW COMMIT: Missouri State University has added yet another verbal commitment to their growing class of 2024, this time from local product Jacob Bening of Cape Girardeau, Mo.
He will join Nick Andres, Micah Chambers, Dylan Moffatt, AJ Huskey, Robbie Hill and James Doromal in Springfield next fall.
A U.S. Open qualifier in both backstroke events, Bening does his club swimming with River City Aquatics. He earned bronze in the 100m back and took seventh in the 200m back this past summer at Des Moines Futures after scoring four gold medals at Ozark LCM Seniors. Last winter, he placed fourth in the 200 back at Columbia Sectionals before going on to win that event at Florida Gold Coast Seniors.
Also competing for Central High School, Bening is a six-time Missouri Class 1 State Championship finalist and most recently helped the Tigers earn their third-straight team title. He won the 100 back and was the 100 free runner-up as a junior after winning both of those events during his sophomore season.
He told Swimming World:
“I’m very excited to announce that I will continue my athletic and academic career at Missouri state university. I knew right away as soon as I stepped on campus their atmosphere was perfect for me. Their coaching and staff are amazing and I look forward to swimming with this amazing team”
His best times include:
- 50 back – 23.62
- 100 back – 49.85
- 200 back – 1:47.95
- 100 free – 46.29
- 200 free – 1:43.69
Bening will make an immediate impact when he suits up for the Bears at the start of the 2020-21 season as his best times already rank near the top of their lineup. He would’ve scored in the A-final of both backstroke events at the 2019 MAC Championships where Missouri State finished second overall in the team standings.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
