Bacon and Nelson representing USA Swimming
Pair of Badgers named to 2025-26 US National Team
September 09, 2025 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Bacon and Nelson representing USA Swimming
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin swimming and diving assistant coach Beata Nelson and Badger alumna Phoebe Bacon have been named to the 2025-26 US National Team, announced by USA Swimming on Monday.
Nelson graduated from UW-Madison in the spring of 2020 with a highly decorated resume before returning to Madison as an assistant coach in 2025. As a student-athlete, Nelson received honors as a 13-time All-American, claimed three individual National Championships at NCAAs and was named two-time Big Ten Swimmer of Championships.Â
As a now three-time member of the US National Team, Nelson attained nine gold, six silver and five bronze medals throughout her career at the World Aquatics World Cup. The summer of 2024, Nelson qualified for the USA Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Wisconsin standout finished the trials with three top-six finishes.
  Â
Bacon graduated just this last spring as one of the most decorated swimmer in program history. In her time as a Badger, Bacon was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was crowned NCAA Champion in the 200 back in 2021 and 2024. In her junior season, the Badger alumna was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Year before earning Big Ten first team and Big Ten Swimmer of the Championship honors in her senior year.Â
The announcement marks Bacon's fifth time as a member of the US National Team. She is a two-time Olympian, finishing in fourth place at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and fifth in the 200 backstroke at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Â Â
Â
Nelson graduated from UW-Madison in the spring of 2020 with a highly decorated resume before returning to Madison as an assistant coach in 2025. As a student-athlete, Nelson received honors as a 13-time All-American, claimed three individual National Championships at NCAAs and was named two-time Big Ten Swimmer of Championships.Â
As a now three-time member of the US National Team, Nelson attained nine gold, six silver and five bronze medals throughout her career at the World Aquatics World Cup. The summer of 2024, Nelson qualified for the USA Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Wisconsin standout finished the trials with three top-six finishes.
  Â
Bacon graduated just this last spring as one of the most decorated swimmer in program history. In her time as a Badger, Bacon was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was crowned NCAA Champion in the 200 back in 2021 and 2024. In her junior season, the Badger alumna was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Year before earning Big Ten first team and Big Ten Swimmer of the Championship honors in her senior year.Â
The announcement marks Bacon's fifth time as a member of the US National Team. She is a two-time Olympian, finishing in fourth place at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and fifth in the 200 backstroke at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Â Â
Â
Players Mentioned
Free / Back / IM
/ Women's Swimming & DivingConnected || Phoebe Bacon
Thursday, January 16
Badgers Host Women's Swimming Big Ten Championships
Monday, February 21
Badgers Finish First and Second in 100 Back at Big Ten Championships
Monday, February 21
McKenna Wins 500 Freestyle at Big Ten Championships
Monday, February 21
