By Sean Griffin on SwimSwam
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Kayden Hedrick, a graduating senior from Mandeville High School in Mandeville, Louisiana, has announced his commitment to swim and study at Missouri State University beginning this fall. He trains year-round with Nu Wave Swim Club based out of New Orleans.
The future Bear, who was MVP on his high school team all four years, posted the following commitment announcement on social media:
I am excited to swim at Missouri State in the fall! Thanks to Coach Dave Collins for this amazing opportunity to continue my swim journey while growing as a college student. The school suits my academic interests. Thank you to my parents, teammates and the massive support system that I have gained through my career as a Nu Wave Swim Club swimmer. Their support has helped me become the athlete I am today and I look forward to building upon that success at Missouri State! Go Bears!
Vic Moore, a coach at Nu Wave, reflected on Hedrick’s commitment and the unique coaching dynamic, explaining:
“Kayden traveled two hours round trip six days per week for years in order to train under his father as a Nu Wave Swim Club athlete. Coach Ross and Kayden have proven to be the most dominant father-son tandem in the history of Louisiana Swimming wreaking absolute havoc on the record boards. Kayden brings great energy to the Missouri State swim program. There will be big shoes to fill this fall in New Orleans.”
Hedrick wrapped up his short course season this winter at the Lousiana Senior State Chamoionships, where he walked away with four individual titles. He won the 200 freestyle (1:38.45), 500 free (4:31.21), 1000 free (9:28.32), and 400 IM (3:58.38), all in personal best times. The 400 IM time represented his first time breaking the four-minute barrier, the 200 beat out his 1:39.96 former mark, the 1000 was almost a six second drop, and the 500 was just over six tenths quicker than his previous standard.
He also put up his 2nd-best-ever 1:47.21 to grab silver in the 200 fly and produced 1:54.78 to take 9th overall in the 200 backstroke.
Beyond his short course successes, Hedrick has excelled in the long course pool as well, having qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials last summer. The event he made the grade in was the 200 fly, where he popped a time of 2:00.38 at the 18 & Under Spring Cup in Fort Lauderdale in May. He went on to log a 53rd place showing at the Trials with a time of 2:03.48.
Top SCY Times:
- 200 Freestyle: 1:38.45
- 500 Freestyle: 4:31.21
- 200 Butterfly: 1:47.11
- 400 IM: 3:58.38
Missouri State is a Division I Mid-Major program competing in the Missouri Valley Conference. The men’s team finished third at the conference championships this past season.
Based on results from the 2025 MVC Championships, Hedrick’s 200 fly lifetime best would have placed him 2nd after prelims and been quick enough for 4th in the final. A time of 1:44.67 was required to win the event.
His best time in the 400 IM would have placed him 9th in prelims, leading the charge into the ‘B’ final. A time of 3:58.22 was required to qualify for the championship final, just 0.16 faster than his personal best.
His 200 free best would have placed 9th out of prelims, just 0.06 out of the ‘A’ final. Additionally, his 500 free career best would have earned him a second swim; he ranked 11th after prelims and placed solidly in the middle of the ‘B’ final pack.
His lifetime bests in the 100 breast and 200 IM would have just missed qualifying for second swims, with times of 56.76 and 1:51.13, respectively, required to advance.
Looking at the team’s depth chart, Hedrick’s best time in the 200 fly would have placed him 2nd on the team last season. His 400 IM time would have also ranked 2nd on the team. He would have ranked 4th in the 500 free and 6th in the 200 free as well.
In the 200 fly, junior Chris Bedsole led the way with his 1:47.00, just 0.11 quicker than Hedrick’s career best performance. Graduating senior Brunno Suzuki led the team in the 400 IM with a 3:54.70, but Missouri State is reloading with IM talent. Incoming freshmen Zach Mendez (3:53.64) and Peter Wendol (3:59.44) will join Hedrick to help fill the gap.
Joining Hedrick in MSU’s class of 2029, along with Mendez and Wendol, is Kiefer Roemar, making for a small but tight-knit group of strong training partners over the next 4 years in Springfield.
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Read the full story on SwimSwam: Olympic Trials Qualifier Kayden Hedrick Announces Commitment To Missouri State For Fall 2025
