For the Jones family, BYU swim and dive meets are a family affair.
The 2025-2026 season marks the first time siblings junior Eason and sophomore Chas Jones will compete together for the Cougars.
From Darien, Conn., Eason, a member of the women's team, and Chas, a member of the men's team, grew up in the pool. The duo comes from a long line of collegiate athletes: their two older siblings both swam for Yale University, their father swam for Stanford and their mother played tennis there.
“Eason and Chas almost didn’t have a choice since their older siblings dragged them to practice even before they started swimming themselves,” said Scott Jones, their father.
While following in their family’s footsteps, Eason and Chas are creating a wave of their own at BYU.
Though both are now Cougars, neither started their college career in Provo. They each transferred to BYU because of the program’s culture and coaching staff.
“Eason and Chas are so blessed to be coached and mentored by (coach) Tamber McAllister and the rest of her staff,” Scott said. “I remember Eason telling us that her coaches were talking to her about Jesus right after she first arrived at BYU. What a blessing to have so many people helping them to grow their faith in the Savior.”
Eason began at Yale University, competing alongside her older brother, Jed. She raced during her sophomore year but redshirted her freshman season due to back surgery.
Now in her second year at BYU, Eason has achieved personal bests in both freestyle and backstroke events. When describing her time as a Cougar, Eason compares it to “sunshine.”
“It has just felt like sunshine,” she said. “Every single administrative staff and support has been critical in everybody’s experience here as a student-athlete and has been a tremendous support in making it a better environment for everyone.”
Chas spent his freshman year at Washington University in St. Louis, where he competed in a variety of events and set several personal bests. Transferring to BYU was a “new experience,” not just in terms of environment — but also in swimming alongside Eason.
Growing up, the siblings rarely trained together. They were always on different teams and in separate training groups.
“This is a really cool chance for Chas and I to really create a bond across swimming,” Eason said. “Chas and I are really close, and swimming plays a role in it. Swimming is not our central unifier, but because we are together on the same team, we have the chance to let it become something that pulls us together more.”
That said, the siblings won’t be training in the lanes next to each other. Eason said that growing up in a competitive household gave her a deeper understanding of what Chas is capable of.
“I feel like if I go in the same lane as Chas,” Eason said, “ I might get on him too much. I can just see his untapped potential. I sit there and watch him train and think ‘He’s got more in him.'”
Chas is embracing the opportunity to reach that potential this season, with the help of his sister and their family.
“I think I have so much potential in the sport that I have not gotten to yet,” Chas said.
With both parents from the world of college sports, Chas benefits from insights and tips not just Eason. While Scott never formally trained them, he was able to provide valuable insights from watching their races.
“I love that Eason and Chas are competing at BYU where there is a combined program and schedule,” Scott said. “The men’s and women’s teams train together frequently and have the same competition schedule. Kim and I have loved cheering on Eason and Chas’ successes in the pool as they have grown up and watching the discipline and hard work develop in them that is central to the sport.”
The Jones family and Cougar fans will be able to catch Eason and Chas compete side-by-side this season.