Henkel recognized for titles
In making his final appearance at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association boys’ swimming championships, Albany Academy standout Brayden Henkel had a distinctive objective entering competition Friday. It was to leave Ithaca College with the 100-meter breaststroke title.
Henkel, a senior who is headed to swim next at the University of Wisconsin, hoped to emerge with a pair of championships. He first finished second in the state and third in the Federation in the 50 freestyle.
“The goal is always to win. I knew the 50 would be very close. It was sort of a toss-up,” Henkel said. “For sure, after that one I knew I needed to win the next one.”
Henkel accomplished exactly that, winning both the state and Federation titles in the 100 breaststroke for the second straight year with a time of 54.33 seconds.
“I am happy with my time,” Henkel said. “You put in the work, have a race plan and then have it all work out and that felt great. It has been a goal for a while. To win it last year and go back-to-back does not feel any better.”
For this efforts, Henkel has been selected as the Times Union’s Boys’ Athlete of the Week for Feb. 27-March 5.
When visiting Albany Academy’s pool, the word Henkel is attached to every event on the record wall as older brother Bryce (now swimming at Boston College) and Brayden own every individual and relay mark for the Cadets.
During his senior season, Henkel did not get pushed much during the Section II portion of the schedule.
“In the most humble way possible, it was me vs. me until I got to the state level,” Henkel said. “I think I have got pretty good at pushing myself.”
Although he would have liked to have returned from Ithaca College with two state titles, Henkel was thrilled to repeat in his favorite event.
“It was definitely really sad once I got home off the bus and realized this is the end of high school swimming,” Henkel said. “I am so grateful to be moving on to swim in college. I am grateful for the times we’ve had and the things we accomplished.
“It has been a great time. Me and coach (Scott) Young have accomplished a lot of things together. I am incredibly proud of both of us and I am super happy to go out like that.”