Dallas (SMU) – SMU men's swimming and diving signed three new athletes on National Signing Day including two newcomers and one graduate transfer who will join SMU in the spring.
Tate Bacon | Fly/Back/Free | Wake Forest, N.C. | Wake Forest H.S. | Notre Dame
After completing his undergraduate career at Notre Dame, Tate Bacon joins the Mustangs as a graduate student and will begin competing as a Mustang in the spring of 2026. The North Carolina native helped lead the Fighting Irish to second place at the 2024 ACC Championships, scoring 46 individual points for the team. Bacon placed fourth in the 200 fly (1:42.25) and ninth in the 100 fly (45.41).
The transfer qualified for the NCAA Championships, finishing 33rd in the 100 fly (46.01) and 38th in the 200 fly (1:43.32). Bacon also swam on the Fighting Irish's 200 free and 400 medley relays. When asked about his choice to transfer to SMU, Bacon said, " I chose to continue my career at SMU because of the student athlete
experience, incredible graduate school, and the exceptional group of young men on the swimming and diving team. The coaches and facilities combined create the perfect place for me to maximize my capabilities in my last two seasons."
Mark Heffern | Free/IM/Fly | Gilbert, Ariz. | Brophy College Preparatory H.S.
Mark Heffern hails from Gilbert, Ariz. where he was named the fifth-best recruit in the state by SwimCloud and where he nabbed four podium finishes at the 2024 Arizona Interscholastic Association State Championships: 200 IM (1st, 1:51.38), 200 medley relay (1st, 22.65 split), 400 free relay (2nd, 45.68 split) and 100 fly (2nd, 50.69)
The Arizona native was a finalist at the 2025 USA Swimming Futures Championship in Sacramento, placing eighth in the 200 fly with a time of 2:06.11.
Joshua Heydt | Free/Fly/Back | Highlands Ranch, Colo. | Valor Christian H.S.
Joshua Heydt officially became a Mustang on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The Colorado native attended Valor Christian High School and competed with the Aces Swim Club. Heydt specialized in sprints, swimming in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly and 100 back.
As for why he came to SMU, Heydt explained, "I chose to swim at SMU because of its incredible team culture, beautiful campus, and the confidence that it's a place where I can grow not only as an athlete and student, but also in my faith. It's clear that SMU is where I want to spend the next several years of my life."
