Jake Foster announced his retirement from competitive swimming on Wednesday night after completing his slate of events at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. The breaststroke specialist and Texas alum finished 6th in the 100 breast and 7th in the 200 breast.
Foster initially announced he would retire if he was accepted into med school — which he did — but later decided to defer a year and make another run at representing the U.S. on the international stage. He then made a surprise return to NCAA swimming for the Longhorns, first appearing at a January dual meet and later making two B-final appearances at NCAAs.
Foster will spend the next few years at the University of Texas, as he plans to begin classes at Dell Medical School this coming Monday.
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Officially a swammer! #retired
Thank you to everyone in this sport that I’ve crossed paths with. The people I’ve met have always been what’s meant the most to me. That’s the reason why the goodbye is so hard!
Swimming has given me so much to be grateful for and it will always hold a special place in my heart. In the meantime, I’m excited to start classes at Dell Medical School on Monday! As one chapter of my life comes to a close, I’m excited to start writing the next one!
As a Longhorn, Foster contributed to the Texas men’s 2021 NCAA team title and 2022 runner-up finish. He is a nine-time All-American and a two-time Big-12 champion. He also has numerous academic-athletic accolades, including being named a CSC First-Team Academic All-American in 2022 and 2023.
Foster made the most out of his year as a pro, competing in the 2023 Pan American Games and the 2024 World Championships for Team USA. At Pan Ams, he swept the breaststroke events and won two more gold medals on the 4×100 men’s medley relay and 4×100 mixed medley relay. At Doha Worlds, he earned two gold medals on both medley relays.
Foster’s younger brother, Carson Foster, made his first Olympic team this year by winning the 400 IM.
Congrats… nerd
Always been rooting for Jake. Congrats on an incredible career and good luck in medical school! Jake will make an incredible physician.
Congratulations on a wonderful swimming career! Always a favorite to watch. Best of luck in your path to become a doctor, an amazing next chapter indeed!
Med school usually starts in fall no? Congratulations on all of your success.
Med school starts in the summer – June or July depending on the school.
Hmmm. Things must have changed. I started in September and so did my two older brothers (one swam at Cal and the other at Texas).
It’s been great watching your run up. The med community is lucky to have you.
I’ve been watching the Foster boys ever since they were in high school and watched them win nearly everything event and set records that still hold in OH. Great to see them all succeed and move on. Best of luck to Jake and go get ’em Carson.
The 2 things I wanted most to qualify for in my life were Med School and the Olympics. I didn’t achieve either goal, so making multiple OT finals and getting into Med School sounds like amazing success to me! I was rooting for you, Jake, and I hope you are immensely proud of yourself!
I like Jake . Heart of a lion and great positive attitude win or lose , dude is set for a great life congrats man ur my favorite u my favorite underdog