JC’s Christian Wester swims at Jr. Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – The recent trip to Indiana was not as successful as Christian Wester had hoped for, but in some ways, the 400-mile jaunt north on Interstate 65 to Indianapolis for the Speedo Winter Junior Nationals was indeed a path to his future.

The James Clemens High senior and recent multi-gold medal winner at the AHSAA State Swim and Dive Championships said, “I’m glad I attended. It was obviously great to see where you are in your sport on a national level and due to my races at the Nationals, I know I need to get faster.”

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound University of Delaware signee qualified for the meet of elite swimmers in four individual events and in four additional relay races as a member of a relay squad representing The Huntsville Swim Association based at the Huntsville Aquatics Center. His arrival to the home of the famed Indianapolis 500 Indy Car Race and so nicknamed “Indy,” was met with the most frigid winter weather of the season as temperatures fell to zero with wind chills temps hitting 13-below, but inside the Indiana University Natatorium, the action heated up any thoughts of the wintery weather outside.

“I’ve raced in that pool two years ago as part of the NCSAS, so I knew the pool well and going into the competition I felt good,” said Wester, 17, the topranked high school swimmer in Alabama.

Here’s a look at each of his individual races with placement and times: 200 Individual Medley- 103. 1:51.62; 400 Individual Medley-90. 4:03.53; 100 backstroke- 65. 49.94; 200 backstroke- 20. 1:46.67.

The three-time Junior National Qualifier and expected four-time Scholastic All-American spoke of his normally best event in the backstroke. “I made the finals in the 200 and did not have as good of race as I hoped as I felt sluggish. Actually, I didn’t want to make the finals as I wanted to leave and return earlier than planned as I had a lot of school studies to catch up on. I did post my sec- ond best time as my fastest time was in a NCSAS race in March of 1:46.24. During the race, I went out with everybody and then struggled in the second half of the race.”

The HSA’s relay events, with Wester on board, featured Max Baumgartner, Wesley Johnson and Parker Barnett: 200 Individual Medley: 29. 1:33.57; 400 Individual Medley: 27. 3:21.69; 400 Freestyle: 30. 3:10.35; 200 Freestyle: disqualified, early start off block.

Following the races among the country’s best, Wester evaluated his performance with an honest, open assessment. “I need to build more muscle and need more cardio workouts to help me finish races stronger and to keep me going late in the race. My plan now is to lift weights, swim, and practice the technical aspects of my swimming. My next planned big swim event will be in March in Orlando, Fla. where I’ll swim in the NCSAS Spring Meet.”