“Bailey Pons: A Dive into Excellence – Nebraska’s 2013-14 Swimming Journey”

Achievements & Recognitions

• Academic All-Big Ten (2012, 2013, 2014)
• CSCAA Scholastic All-American (HM, 2012)
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2012, 2013, 2014)
• Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2014)
• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2011, 2012, 2013; Spring 2012, 2013, 2014)
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (Fall 2010; Spring 2011)

2013-14 (Senior)
Bailey Pons concluded a remarkable Husker career with an outstanding senior year. She achieved 14 top-five placements, alongside four wins, raising her career total of top-five finishes to 71. At her last competition as a Husker, Pons delivered two top-20 results at the 2014 Big Ten Championships. She secured 17th in the 1,650-yard freestyle with a timing of 16:27.53, while earning 19th in the 500-yard freestyle with a personal best of 4:47.34. Pons achieved victories in the 500-yard freestyle (South Dakota State and Northern Iowa), the 1,000-yard freestyle (Iowa State), and the 1,650-yard freestyle (Illinois).

Pons also completed a remarkable academic chapter in 2014. The senior was honored with academic All-Big Ten accolades and was acknowledged as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar for the third consecutive time. She also received her bachelor’s degree from Nebraska in May 2014 after achieving a dual major in English and geology. Pons earned a position on the inaugural Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in 2014, while assisting the swimming and diving program in claiming its third successive Nebraska Life Skills Team Award.

2012-13 (Junior)
Pons continued to shine during the 2012-13 season, accumulating 23 top-five finishes and leading the Huskers with 14 victories. She dominated all five of her 1,000-yard freestyle contests, including a career-best time of 10:06.52 against San Diego State. Additionally, she triumphed in the Kansas Classic’s 1,650-yard freestyle, finishing with a meet-record of 16:48.88. Furthermore, Pons achieved personal bests in the 100- (52.83), 200- (1:49.39), and 500-yard (4:48.32) freestyles at the Iowa Invitational in December.

Once again, Pons excelled in her studies, receiving academic All-Big Ten recognition for the second year in a row. She also made the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll during both the fall and spring semesters of 2012-13.

2011-12 (Sophomore)
Pons showcased a strong sophomore campaign, excelling both in competition and academics in 2011-12. The native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, achieved 14 top-five finishes for the year, including eight event victories. Pons swept the 1,000-yard freestyle, winning the event every time she competed (Iowa State, Illinois, and South Dakota State). She set personal bests in the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.52) and the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:34.75) at the 2012 Big Ten Championships. Following the season, Pons qualified and participated in the 400-yard freestyle at the Olympic Trials in Omaha.

A standout in academics, Pons was recognized alongside Shannon Guy with honorable-mention CSCAA Scholastic All-America honors in 2012. Pons was also one of four Husker swimmers to be awarded Big Ten Distinguished Scholar titles. Furthermore, she gained academic All-Big Ten recognition and secured a spot on the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll for both the fall and spring semesters.

2010-11 (Freshman)
Pons stepped up for the Huskers and quickly established herself as a key swimmer, achieving over 20 top-five finishes to lead the team in 2010-11. Pons also registered a team-high 13 victories during the season. She equaled Kelsey Grushecky for the highest individual finish at the 2011 Big 12 Championships, finishing sixth in the 1,650 freestyle. Additionally, Pons set two top-five records in NU history with her times in the 500 free (4:49.05) and the 1,650 free (16:38.14) at the Big 12 Championships.

In academics, Pons made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll during both the fall semester of 2010 and spring semester of 2011.

Past Achievements
Pons arrived at Nebraska after being honored as the Iowa High School Swimmer of the Year, winning the 200- and 500-yard freestyles at the state meet in 2010. The high school All-American also secured the 1,000-yard freestyle title at the 2010 Spring Speedo Championship Series and added a second-place finish in the 1,650 free.

Personal Background
Bailey was born on Nov. 9, 1991, in Waterloo, Iowa. She is the offspring of Melody and Kevin Pons and has an elder brother, Bo. As an English and geology major, Pons achieved her bachelor’s degree from Nebraska in May 2014. A three-time academic All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2012, 2013, 2014), Pons was an honorable-mention CSCAA Scholastic All-American in 2012. She also earned a spot on the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll in the fall of 2011 and 2012, as well as in the spring semesters of 2012, 2013, and 2014. She was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in both semesters of 2010-11. Pons was selected for the inaugural Tom Osborne Citizenship Team in 2014, contributing to the swimming and diving program’s third successive Nebraska Life Skills Team Award.

Personal Best Times