After swimming for 2 seasons at the University of Houston, Haley Benjamin will transfer to Boise State to continue her college swimming career. She is expected to join the Broncos this fall with 2 seasons of eligibility remaining.
“I chose Boise State because I fell in love with the environment of the school, team and town. I got along great with the coaches and girls on the team! It was a school that I got a great feeling from right from the start and overall I feel really confident about my choice to have transferred here! At Boise I hope to resurface some of the “old” Haley I used to be in the sport of swimming and grow with the girls and coaches into the best I can be as an athlete and teammate! #gobroncos”
Benjamin is one of two late additions to Boise State’s incoming class for fall 2020 along with incoming freshman Lauren Gryboski, who joins the team as a diver.
Benjamin is originally from Durango, Colorado, so the transfer will take her closer to home.
As a freshman, Benjamin scored 22 points for Houston en route to the AAC conference title. Last season, as a sophomore, she was on the non-scoring team, swimming only time trial races at the AAC Championships.
Benjamin’s Best Times in Yards:
- 50 free – 24.85
- 100 free – 53.08
- 200 free – 1:48.92
- 500 free – 4:47.93
- 1000 free – 10:01.48
- 1650 free – 16:33.84
- 200 fly – 2:02.32
- 200 IM – 2:07.39
- 400 IM – 4:16.36
Of the above-listed times, all except the 50 free were done prior to arriving at the University of Houston. If she can get back to those best times, however, she would make a huge impact for Boise State immediately. Her best time in the 500 free would have placed 2nd at last year’s Mountain West Conference Championship meet, and her best time in the 1650 free would have won the conference title by almost 10 seconds.
Benjamin’s Collegiate Best Times:
- 200 free – 1:51.45
- 500 free – 4:49.84
- 1650 free – 16:34.16
Benjamin’s best collegiate mile would have won last year’s Mountain West title as well.
As for Gryboski, the former gymnast started diving in 2018 and, just 2 years later, was named the Colorado High School Diver of the Year.
The pair make a class of 9 that are expected to join the Broncos this fall. Among the highlights of that class include California CIF-Southern Section Champion in the 100 back Maxine Catig (54.44), whose best time in that event would have put her in the A final at last year’s Mountain West Championship meet.
Boise State finished 7th out of 10 teams at the 2020 Mountain West Conference Championships, with the title going to San Diego State. The Broncos won back-to-back MWC championships in 2017 and 2018.
Fall Signees:
- Maxine Catig | Santa Clarita, Calif. (Hart High School / Canyons Aquatic Club) | Backstroke
- Jessica Davis | Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield North High School / Delta Aquatics) | Sprint Freestyle
- Katie Faris | San Clemente, Calif. (San Clemente High School / San Clemente Aquatics) | Sprint Freestyle
- Victoria Gutierrez | Las Vegas, Nev. (Palo Verde High School / Sandpipers of Nevada) | Middle and Distance Freestyle
- Maddy Mickey | Lake Forest, Calif. (Mater Dei High School / Mission Viejo Nadadores Diving Club) | Diver
- Samantha Nickell | Yucaipa, Calif. (Redlands East Valley High School / Riverside Aquatics Association) | Butterfly and Backstroke
- Emma Willmer | Huntington Beach, Calif. (Edison High School / Irvine Novaquatics) | Breaststroke and Individual Medley
Boise isn’t a state
Boise State is incredibly lucky to have Haley! She is tough and determined! Best of luck to Haley!