Thomas Watkins

IM/Back

Player profile

  • Year Senior
  • Height 6-0
  • Hometown Wellington, New Zealand
  • Last School Wellington College
  • Club Team Capital Swim Club

Follow on Social Media
Instagram: @thomas_watkins_1

Career Bests

Career Honors

  • CSCAA Second Team All-American
    • 800 Free Relay (2021)
  • CSCAA Honorable Mention Scholar All-American (2020)
  • OSU Scholar-Athlete (2020, 2021, 2022)
  • Academic All-Big Ten (2022)
  • Big Ten Freshman of the Week (11/20/20)

2021-22 (Junior)

  • Helped the Buckeyes to a bronze medal finish in the 800 free relay at the Big Ten Championship meet and scored in the 200 IM and 100 and 200 backstroke
  • Recorded the team’s best 200 backstroke time (1:42.80) and a first-place finish at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship
  • Competed in five regular season meets and earned two wins for Ohio State

2020-21 (Sophomore)

  • Earned points in the 800 Free Relay, 400 IM, 100 Back and 200 Back at the Big Ten Championships
  • Earned All-America honors as a member of the 800 Free Relay that finished 14th at the NCAA Championships

2019-20 (Freshman)

  • Won a total of seven events
  • Took first in the 200 IM vs. Kenyon and then won both the 100 Back (48.90) and 200 Back (1:47.81) vs. Denison
  • Named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week following his performance vs. Denison
  • Won the 200 Back at the OSU Fall Invite and then against both Kentucky and Michigan
  • Qualified for the B finals of the 100 Back at the Big Ten Championships and turned in a personal best time of 46.88 to win the race
  • Took sixth overall in the 200 Back at Big Tens with a then personal best time of 1:41.75
  • Then posted an NCAA B cut time and a new personal best with a 1:41.58 in the time trials

Prior to Ohio State

  • Played field hockey, cricket and swam for Wellington College
  • Swam for four seasons with Capital Swim Club
  • Captain of the swim team and five year letterwinner