Design by Anastasia O’Brien |
JagWire
SWIMMING TO SUCCESS
Sports
19
As a new addition to the swim team, freshman Anthony Molinaro is already setting records
ZACH SHRADER
F
reporter/photographer
reshman Anthony Molinaro is on a level of performance some don’t reach until their senior year, and he’s just getting started.In his first year, he broke the school record for the 50yard freestyle, he placed eighth in the state in 50-yard freestyle and he was a member of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that took ninth place at state. “It feels great that I broke the record so early,” Molinaro said. “This shows I have a lot of time for improvements.” Despite his success, Molinaro is not immune to the stereotypical mistreatment of underclassmen athletes. “As a freshman, everyone is giving you a hard time” Molinaro said. “I feel like I’m starting to fit in. I have got their respect and on their good side.” Senior Avery Lawson believes that Molinaro gets along with the team. “As a teammate I think Anthony brings a good balance to the team,” Lawson said. “He knows when to have fun, but he also knows when to get focused up.” As well as swimming year round for the Aqua Dragonflies, Molinaro demonstrates his hardworking attitude when he had to fix his stroke due to an injury early in the school season. “This season I have overcome a shoulder injury. I fixed this by changing my stroke and putting less stress on
Freshman Anthony Molinaro swims freestyle during practice Thursday, Feb. 20. | Isabel Aerni
ANTHONY BRINGS A GOOD BALANCE TO THE TEAM. HE KNOWS WHEN TO HAVE FUN, BUT HE KNOWS WHEN TO GET FOCUSED UP.” senior avery lawson
my front shoulder,” Molinaro said. Head coach Daniel Dervin is very impressed with Molinaro as a swimmer and leader. “Anthony has improved in all events he’s swam in,” Dervin said. “He has an excellent work ethic, he doesn’t let older competitors intimidate him and he’s an excellent teammate.” Molinaro is looking to break more records and earn an opportunity to swim in college. “I’m hoping to break the 50-yard freestyle record again, the 100 butterfly and the 100 freestyle. By my last year I’m hoping to get a scholarship to Texas, Missouri or Indiana,” Molinaro said.
PROFESSIONALS VS. MOLINARO
Comparing freshman Anthony Molinaro’s results and college athletes’ results College swimmer David Lambert has a time of 19.17 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle Olympic swimmer Joseph Schooling has a time of 50.39 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly
Freshman Anthony Molinaro has a time of 22.42 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle Freshman Anthony Molinaro has a time of 55.7 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly source: NCAA
