By Charlotte Wells on SwimSwam
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Brigham Young University has added two more names to its 2026 men’s recruiting class, as backstroker Colin Eliason and freestyler Gavin Willyerd have both announced their commitments to swim for the Cougars beginning this fall.
Eliason recently graduated from Hanover High School in Mechanicsville, VA, where he competed for the school’s varsity swimming and diving team all four years. He currently trains year-round with Hanover Aquatics and excels in the backstroke discipline.
A two-time Virginia high school state champion, Eliason claimed the individual state title in the 100 back at the 2026 VHSL Class 4 State Championship in February, throwing down a lifetime best time of 48.60. He also helped his team to a victory in the 200 free relay, anchoring in 20.62, and was the runner-up in the 50 free (21.15 – PB).
Eliason posted a series of strong performances at the NCSA Spring Championships in March. He contested the 50 back (22.36 – PB), 100 back (48.69), 200 back (1:51.94 – PB), 50 free (21.89) and 200 free (1:44.18). He also logged a best time of 46.03 in the 100 free as the leadoff on the 400 free relay.
Best Times SCY
100 back – 48.60 200 back – 1:51.94 50 free – 21.15 100 free – 46.03Heading to BYU from Arizona, Willyerd graduated from Mountain View High School in Mesa last month after competing for the school throughout his high school career, excluding his junior year. He currently swims year-round with Mesa Aquatics Club and primarily specializes in the freestyle events.
Another high school state champion, Willyerd picked up two state titles at the 2025 AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) Division I State Championship in November. He won the 500 free in a best time of 4:26.72 and helped Mountain View to a victory in the 200 free relay, logging a best time of 21.32 as the leadoff leg. He also snagged the runner-up spot in the 200 free with a best time of 1:38.78.
Willyerd turned in a series of top performances at the 2026 Four Corners Speedo Sectionals in March, posting new lifetime bests in four events. He placed 3rd in the 200 free (1:37.29 – PB), 4th in the 1650 free (15:30.23 – PB), 6th in the 500 free (4:26.47 – PB), 7th in the 1000 free (9:12.81), 20th in the 100 free (46.92) and 26th in the 50 free (21.29 – PB).
Best Times SCY
100 free – 45.38 200 free – 1:37.29 500 free – 4:26.47 1000 free – 9:09.88 1650 free – 15:30.23A Division I program in the Big 12 Conference, BYU placed 5th at this past season’s conference championships before sending one athlete, Tanner Nelson, to compete at the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship.
To earn a second swim at the 2026 Big 12 Conference Championships, it took times of 20.13/44.57/1:36.75/4:27.57 in the 50/100/200/500 free and 48.28/1:46.91 in the 100/200 back. Based on their top times, Eliason would have been just outside the cutoff in the 100 back, while Willyerd would have landed in the ‘C’ final in the 500 free and placed 19th in the 1650 free, giving him a chance to score a few points.
With five seniors on BYU’s roster this past season, Eliason and Willyerd will bring added depth to the team and help fill some of those gaps left behind. Willyerd is currently poised to rank 3rd on the team in the 500, 1000 and 1650 free and 4th in the 200 free, while Eliason is poised to rank 5th in the 100 back, although that does not account for the other incoming freshmen.
Eliason and Willyerd will join a strong class of athletes in the fall. The full list of recruits committed to BYU’s class of 2030 includes Sam Weaver, Grayden Barker, Tyler Burton, Owen Robertson, Blake Madsen and Jimmy Beeson, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
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