Kentridge’s Chase Bublitz is not settling for good enough at this year’s state swim championships.
“I have much higher expectations this year,” Bublitz said. “I’ve already beat my times from last year’s state championships and I’m happy with the progress I’ve made, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still trying to get even better. I’m never just satisfied with my times because I want to keep improving.”
Bublitz, a sophomore, came in second in the 50 and 100 freestyle events at last year’s championships, trailing close behind fellow 10th grader Edward Kim of Eastlake, who beat him out in both races.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t keep track of him,” Bublitz said. “But I’m also trying to just focus on myself and beating my goals.”
The state swim championships are Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17-18 at the King County Aquatics Center in Federal Way. Bublitz is competing in the 50 freestyle and the 100 butterfly event.
“My goal is to win both events and break a record,” Bublitz said.
Bublitz gets up at 4:30 almost every morning to get in laps in the pool before school.
“The more I practice, the faster I’ll be,” he said. “I like fitting in extra practice because it gives me that extra push.”
Bublitz also swims and competes for the year-round Chinook Aquatic Club. He’s participated in the club since fifth grade.
“I love to be in the water and swimming, it’s a great workout,” he said. “It gives me friends, something to do and it keeps me out of trouble.”
Bublitz got the itch to swim while watching swimming lessons at a pool when he was 4 years old.
“I wanted to get in the water and learn because it looked like a lot of fun,” he said. “I took lessons that year and have been swimming ever since.”
Despite growing up competing in a club, Bublitz said, he enjoys being a part of the high school team.
“There’s just more of a team feeling, like we are in this together,” he said. “It’s nice to be part of a group atmosphere and to make some good friends.”
Bublitz admitted his busy schedule can be hard on him.
“There’s some sacrifices I have to make because of it,” he said. “For example, sometimes I can’t go hang out with friends because I have a swim meet the next morning really early or something. But, I enjoy swimming so much that it’s worth it to me.”
Bublitz said all his preparation for this year’s championships has made him less nervous to compete.
“Last year I wasn’t sure what to expect, so that meet was really an eye-opener for me in a good way,” he said. “This year I know what to do, what I want and how to get it.”
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