Nolan Tesone is more than familiar with the recent prep swimming history in the city of Arvada.
From six-time state champion Clay Myers of Ralston Valley to two-time champion Eric May of Arvada and John Dalton of Arvada West, the area has seen its share of success stories in the pool. Now Pomona's Tesone wants to add his name to that list and put the Panthers on the map in the process.
“I was debating whether or not to swim in high school, and I'm super glad I decided to … one of the big reasons why is to win the 200 IM,” Tesone said. “Also kind of bring a name for Pomona because we've never really been a swimming school. We're really coming up; we're going to get some good kids next year.”
The Pomona senior's journey gets started this weekend with the Jeffco League Championships at Meyers Pool in Arvada. The Class 5A state meet is May 18-19 at Edora Pool Ice Center in Fort Collins.
Tesone will compete in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke in both the league and state meet, along with on a pair of relays. He finished top-five in both events a year ago at state, coming in second in the 200 IM to Cherry Creek's Jared Markham.
As of the end of April his times this season ranked him third in the 200 IM and seventh in the backstroke, though he said he is peaking at the right time.
“Last year there was no chance that I was going to be first because Jared Markham is an amazing swimmer,” Tesone said. “I knew last year where I was, I wasn't going to be able to compete with him. I got second, and that's exactly where I want to be - it set me up for this year to win it.”
Panthers coach Amy Griffiths said while Tesone has always been fast, he's become even faster, joking that he must be part fish because he always wants to be in the water. She added that his drive makes him someone to look up to for his teammates.
“He has helped Pomona make a name. Nolan's always stuck with Pomona,” Griffiths said. “I think he helped swimming stay alive at Pomona.”
Tesone has already signed to compete at the University of Louisville next school year, but before he can do that there is the small matter of the Olympic Swimming Trials this summer. Tesone has qualified to compete in the 200 backstroke and 400 IM when the trials get under way in Omaha, Neb., on June 25. He said he's shooting for times in the range of four minutes, 25 seconds in the IM and 2:02 in the backstroke.
“Really it's just an honor to make trials, swimming with the likes of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin,” Tesone said. “It's just great to be there, and hopefully I can get some best times and perform.”
That's exactly what he and his Pomona teammates are hoping for to close out the prep school year. Griffiths was hoping to have all three relays qualified for state and junior Hayden Berg has qualified in three events and was ranked 10th in the 500 freestyle.
Tesone said this is his opportunity to be mentioned in the same breath with so many of his counterparts. Myers was a three-time champion in the 200 IM.
“Clay, he's one of my role models - he's obviously a really fast guy. Eric (May) last year was my training partner,” Tesone said. “He was on my club team, and having him leave was really hard … but having my name along with the likes of him and Clay, that's where I want to be.”
