Varsity boys swimmer and junior Ben Rouse was named Athlete of the Week after kicking off the season with great success. Through focused training, Ben set a personal record of 1:27.42 during his first swim meet of the season in the 100-yard breaststroke race on Dec. 11 against Notre Dame College Prep.
Ben’s swimming career began just three years ago when he joined the team in his freshman year. “I signed up because I wanted to try something new,” he said.
Although he had taken a few swimming lessons here and there as a child, he had never thought it would be a meaningful part of his high school experience. “When I started as a little kid, I didn’t like it very much,” he said. “But in high school, it was a lot of fun.”
As Ben began to invest time and effort into swimming, he came to appreciate the structure as an individual sport. “I wouldn’t have to rely on my teammates and at the same time drag them down with me,” Ben said.
His commitment and focus paid off with his PR in the 100 breaststroke, a full second faster than his time at last year’s ISL Championship Meet.
“I was surprised because it was the first meet coming into the season, so I was expecting to have a slower time,” he said.
Ben says swimming has not only helped his athletic development but also made him a better team player and taught him to persevere when things are challenging.
“I’ve learned to work better in a team dynamic and do things even if I don’t want to, things that would help out the team as a whole,” he said.
As the swim season continues, Ben hopes to keep improving as an athlete and contributing to the team. “I want to get even faster with the 100 breaststroke and be able to help out the team.”
