By Cooper Chadwick
As a one man team for Southeast of Saline, senior Matthew Whelchel is looking to go to state for the third time.
Whelchel has been participating in competitive swimming since he was seven years old. Now as a senior he has put in tons of off-season work to be fully prepared.
“During the offseason, I have been working in the weightroom to gain strength and swimming during the summer for the Solomon swim team,” Whelchel said.
Whelchel is looking to improve on his endurance this semester.
“With this, I will be able to hold a faster pace within a race and better finishes at the wall,” Whelchel said. “Ways that I have been working in the area are swimming with a small town swim team and going out for a run or swim after I finish a lift for the day.”
Whelchel swims in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly and 100m Backstroke for Southeast of Saline. Some goals he has for himself is to achieve multiple state qualifying times.
“This gives me a better opportunity to pick and choose what events I would like to compete in at the state meet. Finally, I would like to achieve a top eight placement and qualify for the A-final at state,” Whelchel said.
