William Raches

Position:
Backstroke
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Zionsville, Ind.
Prev School:
Indiana
High School:
Zionsville

A backstroke specialist who entered the 2025-26 season at Ball State after spending his freshman and sophomore years at Indiana under head coach Ray Looze, earning two letters.

Career Honors
- Honorable Mention All-MVC (2026)
11 Appearances in the Top 10 Times in Ball State History
- No. 1 in program history in the 100 backstroke (47.88), 400 freestyle relay (2:53.93) and 800 freestyle relay (6:32.80)
- No. 2 in program history in the 100 freestyle (43.71), 200 medley relay (1:26.44), 400 medley relay (3:11.95) and 400 freestyle relay (2:56.29)
- No. 3 in program history in the 200 freestyle (1:36.46), 200 backstroke (1:47.97) and 400 medley relay (3:13.92)
- No. 7 in program history in the 400 freestyle relay (3:00.54)

2025-26: Junior
- Honorable Mention All-MVC.
- Captured four individual event wins and seven relay wins.
- Swam a program-record time in the 100 backstroke (47.88) during prelims at the MVC Championships (Feb. 27), advancing to the A Final and placing fourth.
- Part of the 400 freestyle relay team that won silver (2:53.93) at the MVC Championships (Feb. 28), setting a program record.
- Swam leadoff on the 200 medley relay team that captured the second-best time in program history (1:26.44) at the MVC Championships (Feb. 26), placing fourth.
- Part of the 400 medley relay team that combined for the second-best time in program history (3:11.95) at the MVC Championships (Feb. 25), placing fourth
- Member of the 800 freestyle relay team that combined for the fastest time in program history (6:32.80) at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship (March 13).
- Part of the 400 freestyle relay team that combined for the second-best time in program history (2:56.29) at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships (March 14), placing seventh.
- Earned the second-fastest time in program history in the 100 freestyle (43.71) at the MVC Championships (Feb. 28), placing fourth in the final.
- Captured the third-best time in program history in the 200 freestyle (1:36.46) at the MVC Championships (Feb. 26), placing fourth in the final.
- Swam the third-best time in Ball State history in the 200 backstroke (1:47.97) at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships (March 14), placing 16th.

2024-25: Sophomore
- Posted personal bests at the Ohio Invitational (Nov. 21-23) in the 200 freestyle (1:38.15), as well as versus Cincinnati (Dec. 6) in the 200 backstroke (1:50.11).

2023-24: Freshman
- Recorded personal best times at the IU Men’s Last Chance Meet (March 8-9) in the 100 backstroke (49.16), 50 freestyle (20.44) and 100 freestyle (43.86).

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB:
- Four-year letterwinner at Zionsville High School under head coach Eric Meyer.
- Two-time Male Swimmer of the Year nominee for the state of Indiana.
- Captured nine total state championship medals throughout his high school career, including one gold, six silver medals and two bronze medals.
- Two silvers and one bronze come from individual event placements.
- Swam anchor for the 200 free relay team that won gold (1:20.53) at the IHSAA Boys State Championship his senior year.
- Earned his personal-best times in the 100 (43.86) and 200 (1:38.18) freestyles as part of his silver-and-bronze-winning performances at the IHSAA Boys State Championships his senior year.
- Claimed silver in the 100 freestyle (44.56) a year prior during his junior season at state.

PERSONAL:
- Son of Christine and David Raches.
- Brother to siblings Charlotte and Katherine.
- Hobbies include video games, walks, and spending time with friends.
- Enjoys all different types of music.
- Favorite food is steak.
- Favorite athlete is Michael Phelps.
- Favorite movie is Avengers: Endgame.
- Favorite show is It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
- Majoring in sports administration.