Dominance has been a tradition for the WCHS Boys Swim Team, as is evident by their array of state championships. However, the team fell short of expectations in 2025, leaving a gap in their successful history, one that they hope to compensate for with a 2026 title. Whether it be their first taste of victory in a year or a heroic last act, the swimmers are more eager than ever to get back to the top.
“So far, our team has shown to be another top team within our division and is leading in wins,” WCHS senior Aron Matsuyama said. “Compared to other teams, we have a lot of depth, meaning our team does not just consist of one fast person carrying, but many of our swimmers are fast which lets us get many sweeps, which are when swimmers get first, second and third in an event in dual meets.”
The WCHS boys swim team consistently ranks among the best in the state, finishing as state finalists eight years in a row from 2016 to 2024, excluding the canceled 2021 season. The team also won the state championship in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024. Additionally, WCHS has produced 17 male individual state champions as well as 10 state-champion male relay teams, making it one of the most accomplished public school swim teams in Maryland.
“The swimming championship format is different from other sport formats,” Matsuyama said. “The top two performers at regional meets get to move on to states. In past years, WCHS has been dominant in State’s, Regional’s and Metro’s, and I see this year being as good of an year as always. I believe that with the same determination, hype and camaraderie that we have been bringing so far, we will surely score well and win big.”
Living up to expectations is a challenge for many WCHS teams and athletes who are consistently held to a high standard, and swimming is no exception. For some swimmers, coaches and fans, anything short of a state championship is seen as unsatisfactory.
“The boys team this year is definitely stronger than last year’s team,” WCHS Head Swim Coach Dennis Witol said. “But the boys teams from 2023 and 2024 are some of the best boys swimming teams ever assembled in this area, and I do not think many coaches would disagree with me on that. However, for the boys team to be competitive in the state championships this year, they need to work on their relays, an area WCHS has historically dominated.”
The prolonged success of the WCHS boys swim team has heavily relied on the development of younger swimmers. The legacy that the program has built is a cumulative result of older swimmers passing down their experience to the next generation, allowing swimmers to grow into the role models they once admired.
“When I joined the team as a freshman, I frequently looked up to the senior class as many of them were record holders and were committed to top colleges for swimming,” Matsuyama said. “With their high status and commitment to the sport, there was a genuine sense of appreciation for what they brought to our team, and I believe that some of the freshmen may view us the same way.”
Strong leadership and connection is critical for any team. This is especially true for the WCHS team considering club swimming is a part of many athletes’ lives, and its time-consuming nature often leads to limited practice time for the WCHS team as a whole. However, WCHS senior captain and Penn State University swimming commit Charlie Begin looks to bridge this gap.
“I try to nudge swimmers towards working towards a goal and being a part of the team,” Begin said. “I also try to get all the kids on their feet in between races cheering for our teammates. We have really grown closer and show strong signs of a tight knit team. We always have swimmers in the state championship, but I am hoping for a full roster this year or two boys in each event at states. I want this team to be a state champion contender.”
The bond the team shares helps push each swimmer to be the best version of themself, both as a person and an athlete. Although they are competitors as well, WCHS swimmers are teammates first, and while they each have their own goals, they share a common objective: to improve together.
“I hope to be able to provide the underclassmen with an experience that will live with them long past their high school career,” Matsuyama said. “I look to be a role model for those around me, and I have been able to connect with the younger athletes in and out of the pool.”
No matter the season’s outcome, it is clear that these swimmers will forge meaningful bonds and take away valuable lessons. The encouraging community that has been fostered within the team is undoubtedly an essential component of their success.
“What makes the team so great is that they are best friends and nobody wants to see them succeed more than each other,” Witol said. “By continuing to make high school swimming fun and a place they want to be, a happy athlete that wants to be present will always outperform the sad athlete that is forced to show up.”
