Bonnie Brandon
Bonnie Brandon was born to Dave and Teresa Brandon on December 28, 1993. Brandon, a Denver, Colorado native, swam for Mission Aurora Colorado Swimming under head coach Andy Niemann. Brandon swam alongside her older sister Loren Brandon, who later swam as a distance freestyler at the University of Minnesota. Brandon attended Cherry Creek High School in Colorado. In high school, Brandon was a four-time letter-winner, MVP, and All-American earning herself multiple state titles, state records, and school records. In 2012, Brandon was named Swimmer of the Year and Colorado Swimmer of the Year.
University of Arizona
Brandon currently swims under head coach Eric Hansen at the University of Arizona, where she intends to earn a degree in Nursing. Her first collegiate season at the University of Arizona, Brandon made it to the 2013 NCAA Championships where she finished 4th place in the 500-yard freestyle, 11th place in the 100-yard backstroke, 9th in the 200-yard backstroke, and 2nd in the 800-yard freestyle relay.
As a sophomore, Brandon was a major contributor. At the 2014 Pac-12 Championships Brandon had two second place finishes in the 500-yard freestyle (4:38.45), right behind Olympian Missy Franklin, and in the 200-yard backstroke (1:52.50). She also finished nine in the 200-yard freestyle with a final time of 1:44.30. Brandon went on to the 2014 NCAA Championships to finish fifth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:36.91), second in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:10.99-split 48.00), and 10th in the 400-yard medley relay (3:31.24-lead off 52.92).
In her junior year at the U of A, Brandon was a school record holder in the 200-yard backstroke with a 1:50.70, and the 800-yard freestyle relay with a 6:57.26. Mid-season Brandon held the 4th fastest time in the country in the 200-yard backstroke, the 6th fastest time in the 500-yard freestyle, and 7th fastest time in the 200-yard freestyle. At the NCAA meet Brandon started off with the 500-yard free where she was the first swimmer out of the championship final in 9th place. In the consolation final of the event Brandon added about 3 seconds to finish 15th, earning Honorable Mention All-America. On day two Brandon started off with the 200-yard free, and made her second consolation final of the meet. Brandon took out the first 100 yards with great front-end speed, and held under 27’s for the whole race to finish 13th. The same day she led off Arizona’s 800-yard free relay that finished 8th, earning Brandon her first All-America honor of the meet. She finished the meet off with an 8th-place finish in the 1,650-yard free, and swam the second leg of the 400-yard free relay that finished 15th.
National and International Swimming
In 2008, Brandon qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials where she took 14th in the 200-meter backstroke. In 2012, Brandon attended the U.S .Olympic Trials again where she finished 4th in the 200-meter backstroke, 5th in the 100-meter backstroke, and 18th in the 400-meter IM. At the International level, Brandon earned herself spots on the 2011 U.S. Pan American team and the 2012 U.S. Short Course World Championship team, claiming silvers in the 200-meter backstroke at both competitions.
