By Katie Vasquez
The season may have ended for Archbishop Molloy High School’s swim team, but Sean Green is still in the pool at the Nassau County Aquatic Center, practicing his backstroke and butterfly for two hours a day, six days a week.
“We’re just training really hard, and try to put your best effort in,” said Green.
The junior started swimming when he was 8-years-old, winning competitions all over the country, but he’s not one to brag.
“I think it’s important to be humble,” said Green.
However, his aunt and coach say he has much to be proud of.
“He is ranked number four in the United States in his age group, which is kind of crazy to me. He’s got numerous high school records in Molloy as well as national titles and records here,” said Heather Green-Wresch, a swim coach for Archbishop Molloy High School.
Now, the 17-year-old is going for the gold, competing in the Olympic trials, a feat his own father experienced in the 1990s.
“He talks to me about his experience, and it tells me a lot about how to be, how to try to, like, follow the track and just stay focused,” said Green.
If you’re unfamiliar with competitive swimming, Sean competes at the same level as Olympian Michael Phelps at the same age.
“Sean’s time is a little bit faster than what Michael Phelps’ time was at that age of 16. So I think it was Sean was 2 seconds better than what Michael Phelps was,” said Green-Wresch.
The trials will be held in Indianapolis in June. Sean will compete against hundreds from across the United States for only two coveted spots.
Whatever the outcome, his family says, even making it this far is an accomplishment.
“I can’t imagine, as a 17-year-old, what great pride that is. He’s a very prideful person for the United States anyway. So, for him, this must mean the world,” said Green-Wresch.
“I would just be happy, and I’d be glad that I was able to accomplish these things,” said Green.