By Greg James | [email protected]

Copper Hills High School graduate Braden Jensen stood at the finish line knowing it was his final opportunity to compete in a state high school swim meet, but he also realized the height of his accomplishments and the future that lies ahead of him.

 Jensen was three-time Grizzly swim team captain, had qualified for the state swim meet four times and improved his
50-yard free personal record by nearly half a second.

 “Copper Hills was a great experience for me,” Jensen said. “The swim team had such a great bond, and I absolutely loved it. The coaches were great. I am glad I had the opportunity I did. I am planning to attend BYU and maybe get a chance to swim there.”

 He placed sixth overall at this season’s state swim meet in February. He also placed tenth with the 400 free relay team consisting of Tyler Nelson, Steven Wisniewski and Matt Monson. Jensen swam the anchor leg for the team.

 “I competed in every single event,” Jensen said. “I think I was good at everything but the breaststroke.”

 Jensen was a 14-time medalist at the region championships and a three-time medalist at the state championships. He was state runner-up in the 100 backstroke. 

 He will be awarded an Academic
All-American award this summer in water polo. A requirement of this prestigious award is not only good grades, but he had to participate in a USA national water polo event or Olympic qualifier. He competed in the National Junior Olympics last summer.

 Monson and Jensen both received the Utah High School Activities Association Academic All-State Award this season. They both maintained a 4.0 grade point average over their entire high school careers and were also varsity team members.

 “I think it requires lots of sleep to keep your grades up, especially as a swimmer,” Jensen said. “It is important to keep after it. Swimming takes a lot of time. I always needed to be dedicated and have good time management skills.”

 He holds four Grizzly swim records. His time of 22.42 seconds last season in the 50 free stands as the fastest time recorded in the school’s history. He also holds top times in three relays.

 “I feel like my parents kept me motivated,” he said. “I had some great coaches, especially coach (Troy) Leary. He was one of the nicest coaches I have ever had, and that meant a lot to me.” 

 The Grizzlies boys team placed twelfth at the state meet in February. Jensen plans to attend BYU in the fall and wants to try out for the Cougar swim team.