ALL-SCV BOYS SWIM
Swimmer of the Year: Saugus’ Tanner Olson
At a recent William S. Hart Union High School District function honoring spring CIF champions, Saugus High swim coach Jim Klipfel spoke about recent graduate Tanner Olson.
The focus wasn’t so much Olson’s CIF-record-breaking swim in the 100-yard breaststroke because, Klipfel said, championship banners, even in the professional ranks, are quickly forgotten.
“But the people are not,” Klipfel recounted on Monday, “when they touched (your life).
“I’ve worked with amazing athletes that I didn’t want to see again. This kid, every time I shook his hand thinking it was the last time – at CIF, at the banquet, at the district a few weeks ago – I said, ‘I wish you luck. You will not be forgotten. Stay in touch.’ I do not say that to every kid I ever coached.”
Such was Olson’s impact on the Centurions. He dominated in the pool, while refusing to be too cool.
Where would you find him during meets? Next to a freshman new to junior varsity. Next to a junior who may or may not make varsity next year. With his arm around a crying, disappointed teammate.
What will Olson, a Texas A&M recruit, remember most from his decorated four-year Centurions career?
“I think the biggest thing I will take from Saugus swim is the idea of being a family throughout the season,” said Olson, a four-time Foothill League champion in the 100 breast. “They were very true to the idea of being a family and they treated me like part of the team. Also, they weren’t afraid to ask me for tips, and I loved that I could coach them and give them tips.
“That was one of the things I loved the most,” he said.
In the pool, Olson’s goal entering 2017 was to break the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 meet record in the 100 breast, the event he won a CIF title in in 2016.
He narrowly missed the record as a junior, but this year he broke it, swimming it in 53.25 seconds in Riverside
at the CIF prelims in May and then going 53.18 a couple days later at finals.
“I’ve had it in mind for all four years and it was the biggest goal I had,” said Olson via text message from Indiana, where he’s set to compete in the 2017 Phillips 66 National Championships and World Championship Trials, which begin today.
That, of course, is vintage Olson. Giving of his time to others even when it isn’t necessarily convenient.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete and a really great young person,” Klipfel said. “I can’t stress enough his humility and his team work.”
While Olson’s 2017 All-SCV Boys Swimmer of the Year award may one day be forgotten, his impact on Saugus swim, it seems, will not be.