Hogan Anderson (11)

How long have you been swimming?

“Too many, like 13 years.”

Is this your first time going to State?

“No, it is not. I went last year, I went last year because I couldn’t go freshman year. I was a transfer.”

How did you do at Region?

“I didn’t do very good at R3gion. So at region prelims, I dropped in all my events, but I made consolation finals, which is still good. And so then at consolation finals, I got first in both of my events and I wasn’t supposed to, but I did. I had to go extra fast. And then that got us more points for our team. So that’s good.”

What did you compete in?

“Region prelims was the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly. And then I did the 200 freestyle relay. And the 400 freestyle relay.”

Can you describe your experience at Region?

“My Region experience was life changing. Whenever I look back to that day, I just think of all the memories I made, about the people that I got to meet and all the encounters I had with the other teams. I think it was just a meet full of joy and cheerfulness. And I feel really content about it at the end of the day.”

What were your expectations for Region?

“I was really tired because like, ain’t nobody want to get up at 5 in the morning over break but look at us like we’re dedicated. So I was tired. I wasn’t feeling like I was gonna do very good. But like lowkey whenever I’m in that mindset where I feel like I won’t do good is where I end up pushing myself to do good anyways, and that’s what I did.

“Day two, I just felt like I was ready to be done. But I knew I was gonna go fast. I knew something great was gonna happen. And it did.”

What was your initial reaction when you find out you’re going to state?

“I was so excited. Like I was jumping off the floor. And you know, like State is such a fun meet. It was so much fun last year, it was great. And so whenever I found out I was going back again. I was just bursting with joy.”

Are you doing anything to prep for State?

“It really matters on how you take care of your body at the end of the day. I get to eat healthy and drink lots of water, you know get your electrolytes in and so that’s what I’ve been doing for the past week.”

What are your expectations for State?

“It’s gonna be awesome. Just being there with all my teammates, I know that we’re gonna perform well and I know we’re gonna do good. I think the team is made up of the majority of seniors and they know that this is like their last hurrah. So we’re gonna give it everything we got.”

What is your favorite memory from this past season?

“I would say that it was probably our team dinner at Olive Garden like our team Region dinner. Just because like who doesn’t not love Olive Garden breadsticks and sharing those with your teammates and friends. It’s just something that really, really binds somebody at the soul you know?”

What has been the hardest part leading up to state?

“Okay, the hardest part is definitely the early morning and after school practices. We get up at five every single day of our existence. Just I’d say the hardest part is waking up for practices and practices after school because like, you think swimmers have it easy. Like we wake up and swim a couple laps. No think like 250 laps. It’s incomprehensible, The grind just does not stop.”