Record breaking senior restores IU swimming

From a small town to the big stage, senior Ben Hesen has seen it all. \nAfter dedicating years to swimming, Hesen’s hard work has finally paid off. Last week, he took home the national title in the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA Tournament, an award that was a long time coming. \nHesen grew up in Jeffersonville, Ind., just outside of Louisville. His swimming career began around age 5 when his parents enrolled him in lessons and summer programs in the pool. Hesen said the programs were fun and easy, but it soon became a full-time commitment. \n“It just trickles up to a full-time swimming career,” Hesen said. \nIn high school, Hesen won three state titles in the 100-yard backstroke and was named to the high school All-American team the same three years. \n“I never took (swimming) serious,” Hesen said. “One year I just got good and won state. I went from 24th in my freshman year to win state the next year, which is a big deal for high school. That’s when I started getting noticed \nfor college.” \nWhile several schools contacted Hesen regarding a place on their teams, IU was the first to notice his strength. Hesen immediately agreed to become a Hoosier, and didn’t even bother talking to other recruiters. \n“It’s not even so much that I was 100 percent all about IU,” Hesen said. “I just was in a stage where I just didn’t really have much preference what happened. Maybe that was immature, but it worked out good for me.” \nHis years at IU have been beneficial ones, for both Hesen and the team. He has broken several school and conference records in the backstroke, butterfly and in relay competition. And although he didn’t make much of an impact at the NCAAs as a freshman, he proved to be a dominant force later in his college career. \nHe tied for fourth place in the NCAA tournament in the 100-yard backstroke as a sophomore and placed second as a junior. The only way he could continue his improvement was to take the title outright, and on March 28 of this year, he did just that. \n“I went to NCAA meets in high school,” Hesen said. “Watching those guys, I was thinking, like, ‘Damn. These guys are the top.’ I never thought I would ever be comparable. And now that I am a champion, it’s kind of weird.” \nIU coach Ray Looze has worked with Hesen all four years in Bloomington and appointed him as a team captain this year. Looze said he’s enjoyed coaching Hesen and said he believes Hesen came here to help restore some of the glory to the IU program.\n“The thing about Ben that I remember, especially from the last week, was after he won the national title he walked up to me and said, ‘Coach, does that help the program?’” Looze said. “That was the first thing he asked. He says ‘Does that really help the program?’ and I said, ‘Ben, you have no idea.’” \nLooze attributes Hesen’s ability to keep the team focused and loose to his carefree personality. \n“He’s a funny guy,” Looze said. “He walked into a dual meet and said, ‘Coach, I don’t think I’m going to swim today.’ He made everyone laugh because they were all uptight. Then we swam fantastic after that. Ben never takes himself too seriously.” \nWhile his college career has been winding down, Hesen has been noticed by those on the professional swimming circuit and might have a chance to join the U.S. Olympic team in the future. \n“It’s going to be hard to make the (Olympic) team,” Hesen said. “But after this past week, I do think I got a chance now.” \nAlthough he has his work cut out for him, Hesen has an optimistic outlook for his future and an appreciative view of his \npast successes. \n“So far, I just feel like I’ve been a lucky guy because all those things are just things that are working out for me,” Hesen said. “I can’t really say I’ve ever had some major setback ever – knock on wood. It just seems anything I’ve ever set my mind to just keeps on happening.”