The swim team competed at the Division II State Championship on Feb. 26 and 27, breaking six Beachwood swim records and making this year the most successful year for BHS swimming in history.
Over the course of the season the boys team broke every swim record except the 400 free relay.
Coach Brad Burget noted the team’s growth and maturity this season.
“You can tell they really care for each other, which [is what] makes a great team,” he said.
This year a record ten swimmers and divers qualified to compete at the state meet: senior Captains Colin Elwell and Ben Keyerleber, as well as seniors Derek Fan, Max Rose and Ethan Dong as well as juniors Sam Park, Nicholas Cheng, Alma Saltzman, Sam Kuenzler and Flora Fan.
“It was really special to be part of a team that accomplished so much this season,” Rose said. “This was the biggest state team in Beachwood program history, which made it even more exciting.”
These swimmers broke Beachwood records in the boys 200 medley relay, boys 200 freestyle, boys 100 fly, boys 100 free, boys 200 free relay and boys 100 breast.
Notable state placements include: second place in the boys 100 breaststroke by Derek Fan, third place in the 100 butterfly by Derek Fan, and third place in the boys 200 medley relay by Max Rose, Ben Keyerleber, Derek Fan and Colin Elwell.
After all the hard work they have put in, Cheng appreciates the recognition that the swim team has received this year.
“I was really excited to be able to compete at states for the first time with the majority of the team because it means that all the sacrifices I’ve made have paid off,” he said.
Burget is proud of the team’s achievements.
“They performed exceptionally well,” Burget said. “You always want a little more, being a competitive person.”
Burget has high hopes for the swim team’s future performance after the current seniors graduate.
“I expect a return to States,” Burget said. “Our team will be younger but we have five returning State Qualifiers who will help lease both the girls and boys back to the State meet again.”
