Ryder Hicks

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Cincinnati, Ohio
High School:
Moeller

Prep: Two-time U.S. Open qualifier Ryder Hicks comes to the Ville from Cincinnati, wehre he swam for Coaches Ken Heis and Emilie Hoeper and the Mason Manta Rays. He competed for Moeller High School and coach Johnathan Bennett. with the Mason Manta Rays, primarily specializing in breast and IM. At the 2024 NCSA Summer Championships, Hicks threw down a series of personal best times and qualified for the U.S. Open in the 100 breast (1:05.00) and 200 breast (2:18.14). He also posted a Winter Junior Nationals qualifying time in the 200 IM (2:08.75).

As a junior, he competed at the OHSAA Division I State Championship, where he posted a 4th-place finish in the 200-yard IM with a time of 1:52.66 and a 7th-place finish in the 100 breast with a time of 56.81. At the same meet, he helped his team to an 8th-place finish in the 400 free relay, anchoring the squad with a 47.33 split, and aiding the team to a 12th-place finish in the 200 medley relay, leading off in a 23.63 on backstroke duty. As a senior, he was sixth in the 100 breast (56.66) and 9th in the 200 IM at the OHSAA Division I State Championships. At the Southwest Ohio High School Classic, in January of 2025, he was first in the 100 breast (57.09), 200 breast (2:02.59) and the 200 IM (1:52.64). At the GCL GGCL Division I Championship, he was first in the 100 breast (57.05) and the 200 IM (1:55.13.)

Personal: He is the son of Ken Heis and Emilie Hoeper. Born Dec. 3, 2006. Major is marketing.