Ryan Husband
SENIOR / BENTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: BOYS SWIMMING ....... 16
>> WHY HE WON
Repeating as the All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Player of the Year for Boys Swimming, Bentonville High School senior Ryan Husband won two Class 6A state championships this season. The Auburn University signee took the top spots in the 100yard butterfly and the 200-yard freestyle races. “I feel pretty good about it,” Husband said. “Being swimmer of the year two years in a row is something really special.” In addition to his wins in the individual events, Husband swam the 100-yard freestyle in the relay, and his time (44.91) counted as the state record, and his time was fast enough to automatically qualify him as an all-American. “I’m quite proud of Ryan, not just this year but his high-school performance,” said Shawn Husband, Ryan’s father. “He’s worked hard in the pool throughout his life, and I’m proud of not only his individual performance, but also his commitment to the team and being a good teammate.” Ryan Husband started swimming in Minnesota as an infant and was the Minnesota state champion for 8-and-under and then 10-and-under. The family moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2013, and he joined Northwest Arkansas Aquatics. Husband has committed to Auburn University in Alabama because he wanted to swim at a Southeastern Conference school, and he really liked the coaching staff and the facilities. “He’s one of a kind,” said Liz Braun, Bentonville High School boys swimming coach. “He takes on challenges and daunting tasks without thinking twice.” Husband was planning on trying out for the United States Olympic swim team this summer, but because of the postponement of the 2020 summer games, the trials have been moved to 2021. “Now that [the trials are] next summer and I’m going to have a full year at Auburn under my belt, I feel it will be much easier to make that cut,” Husband said.
IT MEANS A LOT to be named the top swimmer around the whole state because there are a lot of great swimmers in this state.” — Ryan Husband, OUTSTANDING PLAYER OF THE YEAR FOR BOYS SWIMMING