Anthony Kim of Albuquerque Academy is shattering records all over, and is thinking Olympics.
Courtesy photo
The buzz in New Mexico swimming this year is when - and if - junior
Anthony Kim of
Albuquerque Academy and senior
John Magnus Holler of
Cibola (Albuquerque) will tangle sometime during the state championship meet, scheduled Feb. 20-21 at the Academy.
Last year the mercurial Kim set state records in the 100-yard butterfly (48.66 seconds) and 100-yard backstroke (50.08 seconds), while Holler - a Texas A&M recruit - won the 200-yard freestyle, but did not set a record. They are acknowledged as the state's premier swimmers, with Kim perhaps getting an edge due to his versatility.
The Academy's legendary coach, Dave Barney, said recently, "I'd like to see the two of them hook up. I always look for the best competition because it brings out the best."
Kim told MaxPreps, "I'd like to break at least two more state records: the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly. We have had club competition (against each other) too many times to count. Last year at state I beat him (in the record-setting 100-yard butterfly). Outside of the pool we are pretty good friends."
Those head-to-head races began at a very young age, with Kim being a competitive swimmer since he was 8.
"He was faster than the other kids," recalled Tom Cyprus, who has coached him since age 8 for the Charger Aquatics club team. "He's been dominant since about age 9."
Cyprus, who also is the Academy assistant coach, pointed out that Kim holds several New Mexico club state records at ages 11-12, 13-14 and 15-16. USA Swimming has been keeping top-100 age group swims for over 40 years and Kim's name also appears there several times. He has over 70 state record plaques that he has won over the years.
Anthony Kim, Albuquerque Academy
Courtesy photo
Barney inherited the talented Kim when he reached eighth grade.
He recalled, "The thing that was missing was freestyle. My task was to make him at least, in part, a sprint freestyler. He continues to develop as a freestyler."
New Mexico has a rule that a high school swimmer can only compete during the prep season in 10 meets (including club meets) before the state tourney. At the time of this interview Kim had been held out of four high school meets and although he was unbeaten he had not faced much competition.
Barney expects his superstar to rise to the occasion.
He calls him a "money swimmer. When push comes to shove, Anthony Kim will deliver the goods. If unlimited events, he could win all but the 100 breast and maybe the 50 if spaced out. The key word is could."
Kim explained that when he's not challenged, "You're not as nervous and not as focused (and not going to give your best effort). When I get into the mood I'm pretty competitive according to the competition and what I want to accomplish."
His most special moment in swimming thus far was the summer before his sophomore year when he recorded his first Olympic Trials cut in the 200 backstroke during a meet in California.
He added, "Just being committed to the sport so long, I'm pretty proud of that in general. I've been in a pool almost half of my life. It's my second home."
He spends several hours in the pool almost every day and takes only about four weeks off each year.
In what little spare time he has, Kim likes to play basketball, bowl and go to movies. His favorite actor is Robert Downey Jr.
Grades also are extremely important and with a 4.0 GPA he has his pick of colleges across the country. He mentioned such schools as Harvard and Michigan among others. He is interested in international business.
Kim, who is just 16, already has his eyes on the Olympics.
He noted, "I'm really looking forward to the Olympic Trials in 2016. I hope to bulk up a little to around 190 pounds for college (he currently is 5-11, 165)."
Cyprus related, "I see him going to the Olympic Trials just for the experience and see what goes. It rolls around perfect for him in 2020. His best event is either the 100 fly or 100 back, but he had a great 500 free this season."
Barney looks at it this way: "Time will only answer that. It depends a lot on how he identifies and reacts with his college coach. He's a pretty cerebral guy. This is a very, very mental sport - any sport that deals with fatigue and how to overcome it. He's a listener and that's good."
