Sophomore Lucas Witham is an athlete who defies many expectations.
In the pool last year, Witham was a part of two record-breaking relay teams, had two individual and two relay state cuts, and was second on the team in total points scored.
Swimming is Witham’s primary sport, and he has been doing it for many years.
“I’ve been swimming competitively since I was about four,” Witham said. “And I started swimming because I enjoyed swimming in the summer and wanted to try actually racing against other people.”
With him being a freshman last year, Witham flew under the radar of his teammates. However, he established himself as someone to keep an eye on in his first meet.
He had two first-place finishes: the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard IM while snagging a MISCA cut as well. Achieving that in their first meet is pretty much unheard of for a freshman.
Witham didn’t just stop there. Over the course of the season, he accumulated a total of four MISCA cuts and earned six first-place finishes. At the conference meet, he scored in the top 8 in all his events and became the only male freshman swimmer named all-conference in the entire OK white conference.
While Witham’s season was spectacular, he faced a bit of adversity at the state meet when he got disqualified in his 200-yard freestyle.
But mistakes are how you learn, and Witham learned something that he will apply in the future.
“I think the moment mostly taught me not to get too worked up,” Witham said. “It was my first time at a big high school meet, and I think it was just the nerves. It’s good to be somewhat nervous, but too much can be bad for my races.”
Even with his one mistake, Witham had a phenomenal freshman season, and he is looking to build off of it in his sophomore year.
In preparation, he has been busy training with his club team, RAYS, to stay in shape and help him get ready for meets this season.
“The early training has prepared me [for the season] since I’ve already had a couple of meets under my belt, and I am already used to competing,” Witham said. “It has also allowed me to get a few base times to know where I’m at for this season.”
With Witham’s freshman season being one for the books, he has high expectations for himself this year.
“I expect to place at states and hopefully make an A final [at states], “ he said. “I also expect myself to get at least one school record, but overall, just improve my freestyle technique and time.”
Looking beyond this season, Witham has some long-term goals for the rest of his high school career, like trying to break more school records than he wants to do this year.
“There are a couple [school records I’d like to break]. Mostly the 100 and 50 freestyle,” Witham said. “It would also be nice if I could break another with a different group of guys so they can have their spot on the record board, too.”
With the first meet of the season scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 2nd, Witham is excited to kick off the season. He likes the addition of new teammates and is ready to see everyone’s progress.
“I’m looking forward to a fun season with a new group of guys,” Witham said. “We have some solid new freshmen and members, and I’m just looking forward to seeing how much we all improve over the course of the year.”
