Chase Bublitz claimed two titles at the Class 4A state high school Boys Swimming and Diving Championships last weekend in Federal Way.
Bublitz, a junior at Kentridge, posted automatic All-American times for both the 100-yard and 200 freestyles at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
“I’m really happy with how it went,” Bublitz said. “My two individual (events) were my best times, and my relay splits were insanely fast.”
Bublitz began the meet with an easy victory in the 200, stopping the clock in 1 minute, 39.51 seconds, an automatic All-American standard. He came back in the 100, posting a 45.21 – another automatic All-American time – and edging Stadium’s Andrew Lackman for the win.
Bublitz switched from the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly to the 100 and 200 freestyles this year, a decision he and his coach made earlier in the season. The Chargers’ humble leader in the pool won titles in the 50 freestyle and 100 fly last year.
“I asked for his opinion on what he wanted in the state meet, and I decided whether or not to allow him to swim those events because it’s all about teamwork,” said Kentridge coach Mike Dobner. “I wanted to have successful teamwork throughout the season.”
Bublitz delivered at state. He joined Nick Watson, Brenton Ho and Aaron Connell to finish second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:29.40), just behind Issaquah (1:28.95). Bublitz anchored the relay.
These titles are just steps toward Bublitz’s goal this year of making the cut for the Junior Summer Nationals Cup in Irvine, Calif., something he missed out on last year by two-hundredths of a second.
“(It) takes longer to blink, so every little bit counts,” Bublitz said.
Bublitz also swims for the Chinook Aquatic Club. Being so engrossed in the world of swimming, Bublitz and his teammates compiled a list of three things people should know about swimmers.
“We eat a lot, swimming … it’s a love-hate relationship, and we’re kind of people of habit,” Bublitz said.
Part of that habit is to never give up. Bublitz sees a long future with swimming and hopefully competing at either a national or international level one day.
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