Jett Hatchard Breaks 50 in 100 Back

The 14-year-old swimmer posted a career-best 49.77 at the Witchy Waters meet in Salt Lake City.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Swimming

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a swimmer mid-backstroke in an indoor pool, arm arcing out of the water in a burst of spray. — Jett Hatchard, 14, swam the 100-yard backstroke in 49.77 seconds at the Witchy Waters meet in Salt Lake City, his first sub-50 time in the event. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Jett Hatchard swam the 100 back in 49.77 at the 2026 UT SCC Witchy Waters meet, his first time under 50 seconds in the event. The time improved on his previous best of 50.18 and moved him to #34 all-time in the 13-14 national age group rankings.

Why it matters

Breaking 50 seconds in the 100 back is a significant milestone for a swimmer his age and reflects steady improvement in the event. The jump from 60th to 34th in national age group rankings places him among the stronger 13-14 backstrokers in the country.

Hatchard also set career bests of 23.82 in the 50 back and 24.43 in the 50 fly, and swam the 200 back in 1:50.20 at the meet. His 200 back lifetime best remains 1:49.49, set in March at the Southwest Regional Championships.

The players

Jett Hatchard

A 14-year-old competitive swimmer whose 100 back time of 49.77 moved him to #34 all-time in his national age group.

Donnie Lowe

A 17-year-old swimmer who set six lifetime bests at the same Witchy Waters meet where Hatchard set his personal best.

The details

Hatchard swam the 100 back at the October 23-24, 2026 meet in short course yards. Teammate Donnie Lowe, 17, set six lifetime bests at the same meet, including a 21.64 in the 50 free.

October 23-24, 2026: Hatchard swims 49.77 in the 100 back at Witchy Waters.
Earlier in October 2026: Hatchard swims 50.18 in the 100 back at the PC Sprints meet.
March 2026: Hatchard swims a 1:49.49 lifetime best in the 200 back at the Southwest Regional Championships.

Season Trajectory

Hatchard's climb from 60th to 34th in the USA Swimming 13-14 national 100 back rankings reflects steady progression through the age group ladder. Moving from a 50.18 to a 49.77 places him in a tier of backstrokers whose times are tracked nationally at his age.

Hatchard's 49.77 gives him a new benchmark for qualifying in the 100 back at upcoming meets. Swim fans tracking 13-14 national rankings can watch whether his time moves him closer to the top 25.

The takeaway

Hatchard's progression shows how steady best-time drops can move a young swimmer quickly up national rankings. Tracking meet results over a season offers a clear picture of development at the age group level.