Athlete of the Week

Ross Wilson, Brawley Union High School junior.

BRAWLEY — While the 100 backstroke and 200-meter individual medley aren’t typically Ross Wilson’s main swimming events, it did not stop the Brawley Union High School junior from competing in the races last week.

On Tuesday, the 16-year-old took second in the 100 backstroke, but finished in 59.63 breaking the school record that was most recently set in 2009.

On Thursday, Wilson broke another school record, which had stood since 2002, after finishing the 200 individual medley in 2:11.42.

“I was more relieved than excited,” said Wilson after learning he cemented his name in the school’s swim records. “I’d been working toward it for a while, so I just thought, ‘Finally.’”

In addition to breaking a pair of records last week, Wilson also helped the Wildcats remain undefeated in Imperial Valley League after swimming in the winning 200 medley and 200 free relays on both Tuesday and Thursday.

Additionally, Wilson won the 50 free on Tuesday swimming the sprint race in 23.00 and also won the 100 free in 51.33, which earned him a CIF automatic time.

Wilson said he’ll likely swim the 50 and 100 free in CIF as well as the two relays and hopes to advance to the CIF finals in as many events possible.

Out of the many races Wilson competes in, the Wildcat said his favorite was the 50 free.

“You have to be spoton, almost perfect to win because it’s a sprint,” he said. “One mistake can lead to a loss.”

Wilson said he began swimming competitively at the age of 7 and took to the sport easily and has enjoyed it since.

“It came really natural and I started to get good so I started working with (Imperial Valley Desert Aquatics) and that’s where it all started to come together even more,” Wilson said.