Carson Hick swimming in the Consolation Finals of the 500 yard freestyle during the SEC Championships. Courtesy/University of Kentucky Photography
SPORTS News:
Los Alamos High School 2023 graduate Carson Hick has qualified for the NCAA Division 1 National Swim Championships scheduled for March 27-30, 2024 in Indianapolis, Ind.
This meet is the premier competition in the U.S., where the top 30 athletes in each event of the NCAA are invited to compete. National Championship time standards are more difficult than the Olympic Trials.
A freshman at the University of Kentucky, Hick recently qualified in the 1650 and 500 yard freestyle distance events at the Division 1 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship Meet in Auburn, Ala. He swam the 1650 yard freestyle in 14:47.86, the 10th fastest time in the U.S. this season and placed 5th overall at the meet.
Since the age of eight Hick has competed in USA Swimming. The aim of USA Swimming is to train and prepare athletes for the U.S. National team through selection at the Olympic Trials.
Since relocating to Los Alamos in 2016, Hick has trained with the Los Alamos Aquatomics under Coach Mark Scott. Last summer he began training with the Kentucky Aquatics (UKY) swim team. He qualified for the U.S. Open National Championships in the 800M and 1500M freestyle distance events, competing this past December.
Carson Hick’s reaction after touching the wall first to win his 1650 yard freestyle heat. Courtesy/University of Kentucky Photography
“Coach Scott worked with me for years on the stroke mechanics, turns, nutrition and strength required to succeed at the collegiate level,” Hick said.
He is training under Coach Jordan Lieberman at the University of Kentucky with high performance teammates like Levi Sandridge and Nick Caruso.
Hick is the son of Jason and Leanne Hick of White Rock.
“Carson has shown a tremendous amount of self-discipline and focus in working to achieve a goal he made many years ago,” his father said. “I’m very thankful for the dedication of the coaches he’s had to train him to this level. Making the NCAAs really just puts him at the starting line, but as one of his coaches recently said, ‘I have no idea where his upper limit is’. It will be exciting to watch him swim and represent White Rock.”