You are working on Staging1

#2 in Class of 2022 Baylor Nelson Makes Verbal Commitment to Texas A&M

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

SwimMAC Carolina’s Baylor Nelson has announced his verbal commitment to Texas A&M University for the fall of 2022. He’ll join his sister Emme Nelson, currently a freshman on the Aggies’ roster.

“I’m humbled to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at Texas A&M University! Big thanks to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today! #gig’em👍🏻”

Nelson, the number 2 recruit on our Way Too Early List of top-20 boys from the class of 2022, is a junior at Community School of Davidson just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a two-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and a five-time North Carolina High School 1A2A state champion. He won the 200 IM in 2019, 2020, and 2021 and the 100 fly in 2020 and 2021 and was runner-up in 2019. In the 2021 version of the NCHSAA 1A/2A State Meet, Nelson crushed his own 1A/2A and North Carolina state record, set in his sophomore season (1:47.14) with 1:46.07, winning the event by over 7 seconds. His 100 fly time of 48.15 was also a 1A/2A record, just dipping under the 48.26 mark set in 2016 by Will MacMillan. He also picked up a lifetime best in the 50 back, leading off the 3rd-place 200 medley relay in 22.50, and anchored the 3rd-place 200 free relay in 19.90.

Nelson is the top 200 IMer in the class of 2022. He has improved rapidly in IM, fly, and back over the last two years. At 18&U Winter Championships in December, he unleashed a torrent of best times in the 100/200 back, 100/200 fly, and 200/400 IM. He won the 200 back, 100/200 fly and 200 IM and was runner-up in the 100 back and 400 IM.

Progression

  9th grade 10th grade 11th grade
200 IM 1:50.59 1:47.17 1:45.04
400 IM 3:58.83 3:51.40 3:48.37
200 back 1:47.53 1:47.75 1:44.38
100 back 50.02 48.67 48.25
200 fly 1:52.15 1:49.60 1:46.92
100 fly 49.83 47.98 47.50

In long course meters, Nelson is an Olympic Trials Wave I qualifier in the 200 IM and 100/200 back. Swimming at the Pro Swim Series-Richmond in January, he dropped 1.7 seconds in the 200 back to win the event in 2:02.42. He also improved his 100 back by 1.4 seconds to notch a 56.59 for 5th place.

Nelson is a big get for the Aggies, who have been steadily building the program and are now pulling in top recruits. A&M have also received a verbal commitment from Connor Foote to the class of 2026. Nelson already has scoring times at the conference championship level; he would have made the C finals in the 200 back, 200 IM and 400 IM at 2020 SECs. Nelson will arrive just after Shaine Casas graduates, but he will have a strong IM training group with Collin Fuchs, Andres Puente, Vincent Ribeiro, and Jace Brown.

If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].

About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour 

Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.

FFT SOCIAL

Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster

FFT is a SwimSwam partner.

In This Story

8
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

8 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
NC Fan
3 years ago

Tough to let an in-state star get away from our top notch and rising programs in NC, but he’s an awesome swimmer and kid from a great family, so I wish him the best and hope he thrives in Aggieland.

Texas A&M Swim Fan
3 years ago

Great choice Baylor👍. Wishing you the best at Aggieland👍👍

DCSwim
3 years ago

Probably would’ve gone to another Texas college if they had a swim team

Swimmer
3 years ago

Big time pick up for the aggies!!!

TBC
3 years ago

You deserve all the best. Congrats Baylor.

Confused
Reply to  TBC
3 years ago

what’s up with all the downvotes on this comment lol

swimfan210_
3 years ago

He will join his sister Emme (current freshman on the women’s team) there. With the rising program that developed some stars especially Casas (who swims the same events as him) I think he will do something amazing there. Congrats to Nelson and TAMU!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

Read More »