Competing in the Minnesota State Boy’s Swimming Tournament for the fourth time in his high school career, senior Scott Quinby is no stranger to the University of Minnesota pool. But this competition brought special attention to the senior because it was his final splash in the high school sport. Quinby, along with several of his teammates, made this last meet a favorite as they completed their season with a tremendous finish at the State tournament.
The boys’ swim team’s 14th place finish on March 3rd at the state tournament brought together months of hard work and constant determination for the five participants. “We definitely worked really hard to make it to the tournament,” said senior Parker Johnson. “In reality, the entire regular season is continuous training with a single goal…6 days a week and 2 to 3 hours in the pool make for a hard winter season, but it’s definitely worth it.”
The State participants, which included seniors Parker Johnson, Jack McGinn, and Scott Quinby, junior Alex Roe, and freshman Jack Swanson, enjoyed the benefits of competing in the state tournament by practicing at the University of Minnesota the day before the meet. “We took the day before the meet to practice at the U of M pool with all of the other teams,” said senior Scott Quinby. “While we were there we did basic warm-up swims and were able to practice our starts off of the pool’s blocks.”
This preparation clearly served the team well upon entering competition the next day, for as well as placing well as a team, the competitors together broke the school record for 6 different events: 400 freestyle relay, 200 freestyle relay, 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 50 freestyle, and 200 individual medley. “Breaking so many school records has been really fun,” said junior Alex Roe. “It’s cool to know that your team is doing well not only against this year’s competitors but also in comparison to all of the people who have swam before us.”
Success also took form in competitors’ finishing places at the meet, with the top finish of seventh place by McGinn in the 200 freestyle and Roe, Quinby, Johnson, and McGinn in the 200 freestyle relay. “There were about 30 kids in each event at State, so our competition was definitely the best of the best in Minnesota,” said Johnson. “But we were right up there with them.”
For the seniors on the team, the state meet was their last performance as a high school swimmer, and while they will miss the team they know that they will always remember the memories they made. “I think that my favorite part was standing on the podium for the 200 free relay,” said Quinby. “It really made me feel like I worked hard to get to that point.”
