A Historical Season for Boys Swimming and Diving: Sectional Wins, State Qualifiers, and School Records

The Central Maroons Boys Swimming and Diving team has had a truly historic season, taking first place at their Sectional swim meet and sending 2 individuals, as well as two relay teams, on to compete at State. The Central Boys swim team has had a long history of success, a legacy that is clearly being carried on with this outstanding season.

Junior Nolan Miller made Central history by breaking not one but two school records: former Olympian Tyler McGill’s 2005 record in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:38.21, and Dan Trupin’s 2001 record in the 500 freestyle with 4:28.49. The times were both good enough for second place at the state meet. When asked about his reaction to these huge achievements, Miller stated, “I didn’t realize I broke the records until my coach reminded me actually. It didn’t really hit me till I got home. But they were tough records to break, and I’m glad to have my name on that board now.”

It was interesting to train for a swim season under the threat of Covid-19; Miller commented that “I…did as good as a job as I could to stay away from really crowded or high risk areas for Covid, because I knew that 1 week off would [have] been costly for the end of the year.” Miller described how he was “laser focused” on his training in order to stay healthy and perform at such a high level. He also mentioned that he plans on continuing to work hard throughout this year in order to “move on from the 200 and 500 free and move on to other events” next season.

Junior Aidan Williams also reached the huge accomplishment of qualifying for the state meet as an individual. The Central swimmer celebrated wins in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle at the Sectional meet, winning huge points to boost the team to their Sectional win. The two wins made him, like Miller, a State qualifier in not one but two events. Central had the 200 free and 400 free relays qualify for State competition as well.

Former Central boys swim coach and current math teacher Matt Hopkins still keeps up with the team, and was able to attend the Sectional meet this year to cheer on the Maroons. Hopkins shared how he felt the win was a team effort more than anything, stating that “you win sectional championships not just by kids getting first place; you have to win with the second kid who gets sixth, or eighth…the thing with sectional championships, particularly this year’s one, is it did require every guy to score points. And they all did.” Though he felt that there were multiple strong teams that could have taken the Sectional championship, “they didn’t have the same amount of depth that we have at Central.”

Hopkins coached at Central when future Olympian Tyler McGill swam for the Maroons, as well as teams that co peted against future Standford swimmer Dan Trupin. “[Tyler] really developed after high school. Dan developed during high school…when Dan graduated he owned every Central school record.” Hopkins was naturally very impressed with Miller’s recent record breaks, stating that “[Dan] was the greatest high school swimmer I ever saw,” and “in my opinion, Nolan breaking Dan’s record in the 500 freestyle was more impressive than breaking Tyler’s 200 record.” He also commented on how Miller, unlike Trupin and McGill when they set their original records, is only a Junior. “Those two guys set those records when they were Seniors…Nolan has another year to lower those records, and maybe go after some other records.”

According to Hopkins, the culture of the team was what truly made a difference in the scores at the end of the season and caused such high individual performances. “I think that the culture of Central swimming is about training as a team, coming together in November around Thanksgiving when the season starts, and really working to come together as a group. And that comes a lot from Senior leadership.” Hopkins specifically mentioned Central swim Seniors Austin Barker and Jack Vazquez, who just concluded their fourth season with the team, for carrying on Senior leadership that they learned as Freshmen. “We do have a long tradition of Senior leadership, and you don’t have to be the fastest swimmer, you don’t even have to be a varsity swimmer to necessarily be a leader and contributing to the team,” stated Hopkins.

With the end of their 2021-2022 season, Central swimming has truly reached a new level of competing. “We have a long history of great swimming at Central high school,” said Hopkins. Clearly, the legacy of Central swim is in good hands for future years. Congratulations to the Maroons on an amazing season!

Photo credits to Sam Cook