On Friday, March 22, The King’s Academy freshman Joshua Zuchowski broke the 13-14 National Age Group Record held by 5-time Olympic gold medalist Aaron Peirsol at the 2019 Spring International Championship meet in Clearwater, Florida.
There many student-athletes that want to be great but they do not want to work to be great. Josh’s appetite for the work is what sets him apart. ~ Dr. Chris Hobbs, Director of Athletics, King’s Academy
Currently, Zuchowski is the youngest male qualifier for the trials at 15-years-old. He is ranked 2nd in the nation among all 18 and under swimmers this season.
Zuchowski, 14, is the current national record-holder in the 11-12 age group in:
- 200-yard IM
- 200-meter IM
- 200-yard back
- 400-yard IM
- 400-meter IM.
Joshua is a current state champion after winning the 100-yard backstroke in 2018 FHSAA 1A State Championships this fall swimming a 49.20. He placed second in the 200 IM at the 2018 FHSAA 1A State Championships with a 1:50.21, and won the 2018 FHSAA district and regional titles in the 200 IM and 100 back this year.
Jonathan Zuchowski, Aquatics Director and Head Boys’ Swimming Coach said, “Josh has grown in his faith and in his sport the last couple of years. God has certainly given Josh some gifts in the pool, but Josh is not wasting those gifts. He is relentless in setting goals then setting new goals that aim higher and push him out of his comfort zone.”
“The thing that makes me so proud that Josh is one of our student-athletes,” said King’s Academy, Director of Athletics, Dr. Chris Hobbs, “is that he has demonstrated extreme commitment to getting better. There many student-athletes that want to be great but they do not want to work to be great. Josh’s appetite for the work is what sets him apart.”
