Kelli Benjamin

Position:
Free/Back
Class:
Senior
High School:
Gilbert
Hometown:
Gilbert, Ariz.

2013-2014 (Junior)
Benjamin swam lead-off for the fourth place 200 medley relay at the 2014 SEC Championships. The team recorded the third fastest time in A&M history (1:36.40). Benjamin’s third leg of the 800 freestyle relay helped the Aggies to a second place finish at the SEC Championships with a school-record time of 6:58.80. Benjamin posted three NCAA ‘B’ cuts with a sixth place 200 free (1:45.48), 10th place 100 back (53.08) and 20th place 100 free (49.31). In total, Benjamin tallied 46 points individually at the championships. Benjamin’s 100 free (49.16) ranks in the A&M record book as the 10th fastest all-time swim, and her 200 free (1:45.48) comes in 6th fastest. Benjamin competed at the NCAA Championships in the 100 back (53.24), the 100 free (49.22), and the 200 free (1:46.54). Benjamin also helped the Aggies to a fourth-place finish and school record in the 200 medley relay, a seventh place finish in the 800 free relay, and a ninth place finish in the 400 free relay.

2012-2013 (Sophomore)
Benjamin proved her freestyle ability as she helped bring in two ‘A’ finals at the 2013 NCAA Championships. Benjamin swam on the 800 free relay which placed fifth and brought in 28 points, and also on the 400 free relay which placed eighth and scored 22 points. At the 2013 SEC Championships, Benjamin scored 29points individually, earning NCAA ‘B’ cuts in the 200 free, 100 free, and 100 back. Benjamin also helped the 400 free relay place fourth and earn an NCAA ‘A’ time of 3:15.24. At the US Open Championships, Benjamin competed in the 100 and 200 free and the 100 back

2011-2012 (Freshman)
A staple on the Aggie freestyle relays, Benjamin helped the Aggies to a pair of Top-3 relay finishes at the 2012 Big 12 Championships with the team grabbing second overall in the 800 free relay and third in the 200 free relay...also grabbed three Top-10 individual finishes at Big 12s with a 10th place finish in the 50 free, a seventh place finish in the 200 free and a sixth place finish in the 100 free...tallied a total of 48.5 points at Big 12s.

High school/club:
A 2011 graduate of Gilbert high school in Gilbert, Ariz...was a three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and a Golden Scholar...member of the National Honor Association...Was the team captain for her swimming team...three-time Gilbert high school Most Valuable Player...automatic All-American in the 50 and 100 freestyle...region champion in four consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)...finished first in state her senior year in the 100 and 50 yard freestyle events...coached by Mike Walker and Mike Troy at the Gold Medal Swim Club in Gilbert, Ariz.

Personal:
Kelli Anne Benjamin is the daughter of John and LeAnne Benjamin of Gilbert, Ariz...born May 21,1993 in Mesa, Arizona ... Education major ...has two younger siblings Mark and Kyle ...chose A&M because “I fell in love as soon as I stepped on campus. The team is just one big family, and we have such a phenomenal coaching staff.”

Best Times:
50 Free: 22.83
100 Free: 49.16
200 Free: 1:45.48
100 Back: 52.89

Close Up:
Favorite TV show: Keeping up with the Kardashians
Most played song in my iPod: Murder by 2 Chainz
What I drive: Roxy, my Toyota Sequoia
Favorite movie: Sound of Music
Bookmarked websites: Facebook, Twitter
Favorite city to visit: Laguna Hills, California
Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Larry Fitzgerald
Talent I’d most like to have: Dance
Dream date: Liam Hemsworth
Most competitive teammate: Sarah Henry
Pre-competition music: Rap
Favorite quote: “Do things that other people are not willing to do”
Something about me that most people don’t know: I’m a second degree black belt
Favorite swimming or diving set: Sprint Free
Favorite tradition at Texas A&M: Wildcat
Describe coaches in one word:
Coach Bultman: Inspirational
Coach Jamison: Knowledgeable