SWHS Junior, Ian Park, has made an immediate impact on the boys swim and dive team earning multiple medals from the first meet and setting high expectations for the rest of the season.
Ian has been swimming and diving with his older brother, Aaron, since he was five. He had stopped the sport due to Covid then slowly got back into it. Aaron graduated in 2025 and has had a ton of success with the sport, inspiring Park to join the high school swim team. Ian has already lived up to his brothers expectations last season and is starting off super strong.
Last season, the team was very successful placing second in the CCC conference and everyone pulling their weight doing well in individual events. They are on track to do similar things this year.
Park wants to do well in states so he can make State Opens. Last year, he was only half a point away from making it as a sophomore. Opens are after States, and it’s for the few swimmers and divers who are the best in the state.
“I plan to work hard and stay focused throughout the season to get the scores I need to make Opens, ” Park said.
Another goal Park has is to improve on dealing with the pressure when he’s on the diving board. There is always pressure when he’s on the board because everyone is watching and it needs to be silent.
“On the board I try to envision what I’m trying to do, keep my mind on the movements and stay focused by taking deep breaths,” Park said.
Park is also really focusing on the team’s success. He is really looking forward to being back with all of the returning swimmers and divers and how they will perform this year. The swim season has already started and he has done very well in the first meet scoring 227pts and placing first.
Park wants himself to put more effort into the team and help make them more successful. He is also a great leader on the team and is always helping out his teammates.
“He has helped me learn how to block out everything else and focus on what I need to do to help the team,” teammate Eli Izzo said.
With a long season still ahead of him and the team, Park looks to build upon his early season success and cement his own legacy.
