Page 68 October 2 0 1 4 ARCADIA SPORTS Record breaking breaststroke is just the beginning By Nicholas Smith Sitting outside Arcadia High School, Matt Anderson took a minute to pause when asked what he will miss once the year ends and his career as a high school swimmer comes to an end. “Oh man,” he said. “I’d say I’ll miss the team atmosphere most. There are real advantages that high school swimming has over club swimming.” Matt, a senior, has been on the Titan’s swim team every year he has been in high school. He was a huge part of the team’s success last year, coming in second for the state 200 medley, and breaking the state record for the 100-meter breaststroke, his best event. But he is convinced that this season will be his best at Arcadia. “I want to scare people this year,” he said. “I’m not sure people realize how far we’ve come this past year. How hard guys have worked, how much guys have improved, the new additions we have to the team. We’re definitely going to shock some teams.” A swimmer since the age of 5, Matt has swam for both school and club teams since a young age. Most of the year is spent swimming club, as swimmers are ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE All games start at 7 p.m. on Fridays, unless otherwise noted by * 10/2* 10/10 10/17 10/24 10/31 Home vs. Valley @Chaparral @Notre Dame Prep Home vs. Independence (Senior Night) Home vs. Cactus Shadows our swim programs are internationally-recognized stop in and find out why! FREE BABY SPLASH 8 wks - 5 mos LITTLE SNAPPERS 6 mos - 35 mos GROUP LESSONS 3 yrs - 12 yrs SPLASH, PLAY & LEARN the Hubbard way! HUBBARDSWIM.COM 602.971.4044 Serving the Arcadia area since 1958          Find us on Facebook! Member Since 1959      •  •    •    •    •         www.ingleside.com • 602-840-3446 PAMPER YOUR PET WITH OUR PREMIUM GROOMING SERVICES. Call us today for an appointment. 602-952-1754 BRIAN A. SERBIN, DVM • RACHEL BART, DVM KATHERINE HEWITT, DVM • KATIE CHILES, DVM with their high school program for three months out of the year. Matt has loved swimming on both squads. “I’ve been swimming with the same club team since I was 5, the Arizona Marlins,” said Matt. “Some people jump around from club team to team, but I’ve been lucky to have good experiences with my coaches. I’ve really connected with them and seen good results.” At the same time, Matt also says he has loved swimming at Arcadia. He noted club can tend to lean to an individualistic side, whereas at Arcadia there is much more of an emphasis on the team. The 60-person unit has athletes who swam club for years and those who only swim at the high school level. “I’m very proud of the team and how we hold our own,” he said. “As a club kid, you get an opportunity to help out the guys who just swim for high school. The opportunity to help teach is a pretty awesome one.” Although in the middle of the season, Matt has already begun the search for a college to call home next fall. He will swim at the next level and says the intensity of the recruiting process is just now starting to hit. “Several months ago I was sending out my times to coaches, trying to get attention,” he said. “In some of the bigger competitions, coaches were able to see my results and that definitely got me some recognition. But recruiting is just starting to take off now.” Matt has begun visiting colleges and will continue to do so over the coming months. The NCAA allows swimmers to take five official college visits. Matt will visit Wisconsin, the University of Arizona and Stanford. He is also considering adding a fourth team. “It’s exciting for sure,” he said. “It’s a lot to think about but it’s nice to get some recognition for all the hard work.” The primary goals for Matt this season were all about the team. But when pressed for an individual goal, it came back to 55.44. That is the current state record for the 100 meter breaststroke and Matt is determined that the state record be a different number next year. “Breaking the record last year was great,” he said. “But I’m looking to definitely come back and set something that might stay standing for awhile after I’m gone.” Like us on