School: Algonquin Regional
Class: 2015
Sport: Swimming
Coach: Jean Fedak
Notables: Team captain, undefeated during his entire high school career.
By Ryan Massad, Contributing Writer
What are your earliest swimming memories?
“I’ve always loved swimming. When I was 3 or 4, I remember my early swim lessons. My first team experience was at age 7, and it was a lot of fun. I’m still good friends with a few of those teammates.”
What made you want to swim competitively in high school?
“My older sister was once on the team, and swimming for team is a great way to get involved with the school.”
What do you think gives you an advantage over your competition?
“My only advantage comes from training and hard work. I joined Shawmut Aquatic Club when I was 9, and have trained and competed year round since then. I currently practice about three hours every day. Swimming is all about hard work, and the effort you put in shows when you are racing.”
What do you consider to be your best style of swimming?
“My best event nationally is the 200-meter backstroke, which is not offered in high school meets. In high school meets, I swim in whatever event Coach Fedak needs me to.”
What has been the single most special moment during your young career of competitive swimming?
“The Division 1 state meet this year was special because it wrapped up four years of swimming for Algonquin. I had the best times in my events and the relays. As a team, we had one of the best days in school history. That was a nice way to cap off four years of being undefeated, both as a team, and individually.”
Will you be swimming at the college level?
“Yes, I will be attending Bates College in the fall, where I will be on the swim team.”
What are your interests while out of the pool?
“I spend a lot of time outside. I like anything outdoors, such as hiking, skiing, kayaking, etc.”
What is your favorite type of music?
“I like all kinds of music. I’m very diverse.”
What is your favorite class in school, and why?
“AP human geography is my favorite class. It’s interesting to learn about human interaction around the world.”
Undefeated record aside, what legacy would you like to leave behind at Algonquin?
“The swim team has risen to a new level over the past four years. The swimmers are working harder than ever. All of the individual and relay records were broken several times, and the team has been undefeated for 55 consecutive meets. I hope that momentum will carry forward, and swimming will continue to be a successful sport at Algonquin. I have a younger brother and sister that will be freshmen next year and both will swim for the team, so the family tradition continues.”