Ben Hesen

Benedict "Ben" Hesen (born February 15, 1986) is an American swimmer from Jeffersonville, Indiana. He is the son of Ben and Cheryl Hesen, and has one brother. He attended Jeffersonville High School and grew up swimming for Keith Gast at Pacesetter Aquatics. He was a member of the U.S. National Team in the 100M backstroke.

Career Prep Swimming started at an early age for Hesen, who began taking lessons at the age of five. Quickly escalating into a full-time commitment, he was passionate about swimming, but never saw much opportunity in it until a meteoric rise between his freshman and sophomore year at Jeffersonville High School in Indiana. He won the NCAA Championship in the 100 backstroke with a school-record time of 44.72. His win is the first NCAA swimming title for the Hoosiers since Jim Montgomery captured the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle in 1976. He earned Indiana Male Athlete of the Year award. He was named co-Big Ten Swimmer of the Year and Swimmer of the Championships after taking league titles in the 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 100 butterfly and 200 medley relay (1:25.85). At the BIG TEN Championships at the University of Michigan, He took the 100 backstroke title in a time of 45.92, breaking the Canham Natatorium record of 46.48 set by Michael Phelps in 2005. He earned first team All-Big Ten and was the first Indiana University swimmer to win three individual swimming titles since Chuck Sharpe in 1980.

2014–present Hesen is now a fireman with the Jeffersonville Fire Department.