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'I just kind of locked in': Higley High School graduate Keaton Jones swims his way to the Olympics

Keaton Jones qualified at the US Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis Thursday.
Credit: AP
Ryan Murphy and Keaton Jones celebrate after the Men's 200 backstroke finals Thursday, June 20, 2024.

ARIZONA, USA — The recent Higley High School graduate who swam his way to multiple world records is going to Paris to compete in the Olympics!

Gilbert resident Keaton Jones, 19, qualified for the men's 200-meter backstroke event at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis Thursday.

"I have no idea what just happened," an ecstatic Jones told SwimSwam after the event, "I just knew I needed to execute. I mean I've done enough 200 backs this season, more than I ever have, so I just kind of locked in."

This trip to Paris won't be his first time in France. Jones was the first American to break an ice swimming world record at the 2023 Ice Swimming World Championships in Samoens, France.

There he didn't set just one record, but two, taking the fastest times in the 50-meter backstroke and the 100-meter butterfly events.

"It's gonna hit when I see my parents and I start bawling, that's what's gonna happen," Jones joked on Thursday.

Jones is signed on with California Golden Bears Athletics — one more Olympian to emerge from the prestigious program.

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