Swimming senior makes waves, breaks records

November rolls around and to most students, it means Thanksgiving Break is around the corner. For some students, November means winter sports are about to kick off. Wrestling mats are laid on the ground, basketballs are dribbling, and bowling balls are dusted off. When it comes to boys swimming, senior Jared Vargas gets out his swimming cap and goggles.

Vargas’ swim career started 13 years ago at the age of 4 or 5. His mother, Ann Vargas, swam in college, and her side of the family consists of swimmers. He considers her his biggest influence because she is the “only person who has consistently supported” him.

“She’s been my reason to swim since day one,” Vargas said of his mother. “She’s been my coach for a decent portion of my swimming career.”

Vargas has an impressive list of achievements,both inside and outside of the pool. While outside of the pool, he has a heavy course load. This year he is enrolled in AP Computer Science, AP Statistics, AP Physics, and AP English Literature. He took a total of four Advanced Placement tests last year and is a member of National Honors Society.

“I like to hold myself to a higher standard,” he said.

Within the pool, Vargas has broken four school swim records, one his freshman year, two his sophomore year, and one his junior year. Freshman year he broke the 500 freestyle record, his sophomore year he broke the 100 breaststroke record and the 200 individual medley record, and junior year he broke the 100 freestyle record. For his senior year, Vargas isn’t set on breaking any new ones.

When asked if he feels any pressure while he competes, Vargas said he considers himself his biggest critic.

“I just want to leave high school with the best record I can. There is some amount of pressure, but it is all coming from myself.”

Last year, Vargas got second at State for the 100 breaststroke. He has competed at State for the past three years, and has another opportunity to go this year. His biggest goal is to get first in that same event.

“I’m really hoping to get the title this year,” he said.

Vargas has also been swimming with the Velocity Swim Team in Wenatchee since the team was formed. He has also spent time swimming in California where he spent a few summers. There, he stayed with a swimmer who was nationally ranked.

“I couldn’t really compete with him,” Vargas said. “The only thing that I could compete with him was the 100 breaststroke. Our times were close in the 100 breaststroke but his other times were beyond me.”

Next year, Vargas will be heading to college, and he has kept swimming in mind during his college search. His top choice school is the University of Chicago.

“I want to experience something new,” Vargas said. “The majority of my dad’s family lives in Chicago, so it will be nice having family close by.”

Originally, Vargas thought about the going to the Naval Academy in Maryland, but was late turning things in, and deadlines had passed before he decided he wanted to go.

“I wanted to go to a military academy because they essentially pay you to go to school and you have a paid job. Granted you have an obligation for a certain amount of years in the military, but you have no student debt,” he said.

This last season is going by fast, but Vargas is keeping his head up.

“I think I’m ready to move on,” he said. “I’m definitely going to miss some things. I’m not one to dwell on the past. I’ll miss it, but I’m not going to cry about it.”