Photo by Michael Placenti ’19 – Jack Blake ’17 pulls ahead in 200m Freestyle at the home meet on Thursday, Sept. 10. Blake looks to do well this season, as he prepares to try out for Spanish Olympic team.

By Tyler Conrad ’17
THE ROUNDUP

Brophy swimmer Jack Blake ’17 competed in Spanish nationals this summer, winning first place in the 50mm freestyle, and placing in the 100mm against other Spanish swimmers 18 and under.

A dual citizen of Spain, Blake took the opportunity to meet friends and form relationships with Spanish higher-ups that could help him down the road.

“The meet went pretty well I’d say,” he said, “I was able to develop relationships with the federation and shake hands with people in high places, which was really great.”

Blake said the best part of the meet was being able to experience Spain again, and securing his decision to compete with them.

“It was just fun to swim internationally for the first time,” Blake said of his time abroad. “I brought a friend of mine who is also a swimmer, and we both had a great time not only competing, but also spending time visiting the country.”

Even though Blake’s friend wasn’t able to compete like him, the two still became associated with much of the champion swim community in the area.

This March, Blake will return to Spain for Olympic trials, where he hopes to find a spot on the Spanish team.

“I’ll go to Trials over Spring Break,” Blake said. “If I don’t make the Olympic team, hopefully I’ll make the European Championship Team.”

The European Championship team, Blake explained, is another form of international competition strictly between the countries of Europe.

For now, Blake continues to swim for Brophy, and is confident in the team’s skill for the upcoming season.

“I feel like the whole state underestimates our team, but we are better than we were last year,” Blake said.

Fellow Brophy swimmers such as Max Wear ’17 admire Jack’s perseverance and passion for his team.  

“Jack’s a really hard worker,” Wear ’17 said, “He leads by example for the rest of the team to push themselves.”