NEW COMMIT: Folsom, Calif. native and current high school junior Ben Dillard has recently announced his in-state verbal commitment to the University of Southern California for the 2020-21 season.
Dillard does his club swimming with Sierra Marlins Swim Team and owns six Winter Juniors (or faster) standards. He most recently finished fourth in the 200 breast and seventh in the 200 IM at Juniors West in December where he recorded a trio of lifetime bests. He achieved 100% personal best times at Junior Nationals this past summer en route to placing fourth in the 200m breast and fifth in the 100m breast.
Also competing for Oak Ridge High School, Dillard is a four-time CIF State Championship finalist. He won the 100 breast and took third in the 200 IM as a sophomore after placing ninth and 12th, respectively, in those events during his junior season. He has also earned NISCA All-American honors twice in his career.
He told Swimming World:
“Super hyped to announce my verbal commitment to continue my education and swimming at USC. Huge thanks to my family and friends!”
His best times include:
- 100 breast – 53.96
- 200 breast – 1:56.25
- 50 free – 20.89
- 100 free – 45.15
- 200 IM – 1:48.05
- 400 IM – 3:55.97
Even with 1.5 years of club swimming still to go before suiting up for the Trojans as a member of the class of 2024, Dillard will make an immediate impact. He would’ve scored in the B-final of both breaststroke events as well as the C-final of both IMs at the 2018 Pac-12 Championships. He’ll also join backstroker Hugh Svendsen next fall in Los Angeles.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
As a proud Trojan alumni 1991), and former USC Men’s Swimming team member, this is a great pick up for us. Great decision Ben…you’ll be an outstanding addition to their squad…and I’m super stoked you’ll be swimming for us. Congrats on your commitment Ben…Fight On!