After kicking off their season opener on Dec. 12 with a record of 119-49, the Trojan Bolts have continued to display strong performance — notably, placing first at the Cougar Invite Dec. 7 and second at the Little Hawk Invite Dec. 17. The Linn-Mar Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 11 was no exception to this streak, with the Trojan Bolts placing second against nine other schools.
Hayden Hakes ’25, a recent recruit at Arizona State University and Olympic Trials qualifier, placed first in the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, with times of 1:42.58 and 51.13, respectively. Winston Fan ’26 also displayed impressive performance, placing first in the 100-yard breaststroke and second in the 100-yard butterfly.
With guidance from returning head coach and West alumnus Zachary Armstrong ’15, the Trojan Bolts appear to be on track to clinching more records, especially after securing fifth place at the state championship in the prior season.
Although the Trojan Bolts have many goals for the remainder of the 2024-25 swimming season, Fan has one goal in mind: “[To] bring home the championship.”
The Trojan Bolts will return to the swimming pool Jan. 21 — this time, at the Coralville Community Aquatic Center — to race against Waterloo West, who they previously won against 130-39 in a meet on Jan. 16, 2024. This will also serve as the Trojan Bolts’ commemorative senior night.