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04/04/2019 12:00 AMEntering the latter portion of his high school athletic career, Dan Chen knew he had raise the bar in order to help the Hand boys’ swimming and diving team compete for conference and state crowns. As a result, Dan netted himself a star-studded season.
The Tigers’ junior got started in the pool early at the age of 2 and, with the exception of playing tennis for a year when he was age 6, the water has been his sole sporting homestead. This season, Dan powered his way to All-SCC, All-State, and All-Area Team honors with Hand. Plus, Dan was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, and he contributed to the Tigers fourth- and second-place finishes at the SCC and Class M state championship meets, respectively.
“Early this year, one of our best swimmers left the team, so I knew I had to step it up to help the team,” says Dan. “I knew I had to work a lot harder to help bring the team where it wanted to be. We knew we had to work hard, and we managed second at states, so it looks like it worked out pretty well.”
Performing on the pressure-packed stages of postseason meets can seem daunting for most, but Dan focused, kept his poise, and dove in like it was any other regular season meet or practice run.
“I’ve had a lot of years of experience when I was younger, so I’m used to the nerves of big meets,” Dan says. “I just took it at face value, swam my best, and tried to give it my all out there. It’s really nothing to be nervous about.”
Dan says once most swimmers get into competitive currents, it becomes almost second nature that they develop preferred heats and strokes.
“My favorite stroke is the backstroke, and my least favorites are the freestyle and butterfly,” says Dan. “I’ve done the backstroke more and more during practice. After a while, you tend to settle into a stroke that you know you’re good at. People excel at different strokes when they swim competitively.”
Through the social element of his squad, Dan explains that he’s opened up more and really grew a comfortability factor with his Tigers teammates.
“Before, I didn’t really talk too much to people on the team when I was younger. I felt comfortable with those people around my age,” says Dan. “Being on this team the last few years has helped me grow more socially as a person.”
Hand boys’ swimming and diving Head Coach Christina Forristall details that Dan always gives his all in everything he does, thus raising the level of effort from the rest of the team. Additionally, Dan poses a threat for other teams with his versatility.
“Dan has a quiet, humble leadership where his actions speak much louder than words. He leads by example in the water. He comes in focused daily, ready to train and push his teammates to train at their highest level,” says Forristall. “He is one of the most diverse members of the team. We can put Dan in any event with confidence that he will always put forth his best effort and race for place to ensure points for the team. You can always count on his enthusiastic teammates to make sure Dan is recognized for his accomplishments and efforts in the pool.”
With still a year to go on the high school scene, Dan is looking to make a future splash on the college circuit. In the meantime, he feels that he and the rest of the Tigers have gathered a wealth of experience that will serve them well in the quest for championships next winter.
“I enjoy the sport so much, and I’m looking to go into college swimming,” says Dan, who thanks his family and teammates. “We have a lot of people coming back from this year’s team, so we should be able to improve as a team. A lot of guys improved their times this year, and we can go for first in Class M.”