While the Penn men’s swimming team found itself finishing in the middle of the pack at the Ivy Championships in sixth place, one Quakers swimmer went above and beyond to have a shot on the biggest stage of all.
Thanks to a pair of outstanding swims, Penn freshman Chris Swanson will be competing at the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving championships in the 500-meter freestyle and 1650 freestyle.
Qualifying after setting school records in both events, Swanson will be the first Penn freshman in history to compete in collegiate swimming’s premier event.
But the Ivy League champion in the 1650 freestyle is more excited to represent the Red and Blue than anything else.
“I’m very proud,” Swanson said. “I’m really happy I get to represent the team. It’s exciting.”
Swanson’s events will be broken up over the course of the three-day meet, as the 500 free is scheduled for Thursday, while the 1650 free is on Saturday.
Before the season started, Swanson was looked at as one of the members of the talented freshman class that would help Penn compete over the next four years and he has exceeded expectations at every turn.
Swanson has been most impressive in his long distance competition. In addition to earning him a conference title, Swanson’s time of 15:02.11 at the Ivy Championships is also the 26th fastest time in the country.
During the NCAA Championships, Swanson will compete against some of the best in the country. Even though the talent level of the competition will be high, Swanson will look to swim the way he has been swimming all season.
“I’m just excited I get to go,” Swanson said. “I would like to drop a little more time in the mile, hopefully get under the 15-minute mark, which is a big barrier.”
Coach Mike Schnur also chimed in about Swanson’s intense training in the three weeks since Ivy Championships.
“I think he’s in great shape,” Schnur said. “I actually think he’s just as good as he was at Ivies or better and I think he’s ready to swim.”
Swanson has been steadily improving throughout this season, and he attributes some of this success to the competition in the Ancient Eight.
“There are a lot of fast kids at that Ivy League meet,” Swanson said. “This conference has gotten a lot faster in recent years, and because of that, it’s pushed everyone who swims to go faster and faster.”
In a season that showcased the promise of the future for Quakers swimming, Swanson will look to give the team even more pride for their efforts this year.
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