- By Joyce Mulcahy Jones
- Sports
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In the 100 backstroke, Sangren swam in a short course (25-yard pool) during morning prelims and recorded a time of 50.23. Each day of the meet the competition pool was converted for long course (50-meter, Olympic-size) competition for evening finals. At finals, Sangren swam the 100-meter backstroke in 59.87 seconds placing 7th in the nation. Sangren also competed in the 50 butterfly, 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke at Junior Nationals.
According to Dewey, Sangren's 100 backstroke time at the Niagara District Championship Gold Meet (held in Buffalo the weekend prior to NCSA Junior Nationals) provided Sangren with some enormous and much needed confidence heading into Junior National competition. Among many best times and super swims at the Gold meet, Jake swam a blistering 49.91 seconds in the 100 backstroke.
According to Coach Dewey, "That was exactly the swim Jake needed before heading down to Florida." Sangren's 49.91 was his first T-16 time, ranking him as one of the fastest 16 individuals in this event in the nation in the 17-18 year-old age group. Sangren's time also sets him very high in Top-10 territory for 17-year-olds in the U.S.
Coach Dewey added, "As hard as he works and as dedicated as he is, his successes are well-earned and well-deserved. Jake's come a long way over the past couple of years. He has a lot more speed in him, especially with the middle distance events. That said, his string of recent achievements has been a nice way for him to wrap up his short course season."
The Lansing Star interviewed this amazing Lansing swimmer and found that Sangren is focused and serious about his accomplishments and goals in the sport.
Lansing Star: What was it like to break the NCSA Junior National Meet Record in the 50 backstroke and now be 3rd in the nation?
Jake Sangren: It was an exhilarating experience to compete at this level! I felt that I did better with the short course event than the long course.
LS: What was it like to come in 7th place in the 100 backstroke at Junior Nationals?
JS: I wish I had come in 6th place but I just tried to do my best. 7th place is still in the top 10.
LS: What did you think of your performance at the State Meet (2/29-3/1/09) where you represented Lansing High School in the 100 backstroke (2nd place in the state)?
JS: I felt that my performance was good but I could have given more effort. In this race, I was sandwiched between two state record holders – Thomas Luchsinger (200 freestyle) and Ricky Henahan (100 backstroke). I wish that I had another year of high school in order to claim the state title in the 100 backstroke. I am 17 years old and the first place finisher (Ricky Henahan from Irondequoit) is 18 years old.
LS: How did you feel about your 3rd place finish in the 200 individual medley at the State Meet?
JS: I think I should have 'won it'. I did 1:55.55 but I think I could have done 1:53. There are things I'd like to 'fix' about my IM. I feel like I need to 'hammer down' more on my backstroke and do better with it in my I.M. I would also like to improve my freestyle in this event.
LS: You have had an incredible senior year swimming for Lansing! What was it like to break so many school, IAC league, and Section IV records?
JS: I should have broken more records! I would have liked to set new records in the 200 freestyle and 100 freestyle. However, I'm so proud that we have brought a new level or 'age' to Lansing swimming! We are now delving into competing in national meets. Hans Roser led the way last year and I'm glad to continue that tradition.
LS: What are your most memorable accomplishments when you think of your time as a Lansing swimmer?
JS: I was so proud to be a part of last year's 200 medley relay team. We came in 3rd place at the state meet. I was glad that I got to be the lead-off leg of this team. (Jake Sangren, Hans Roser, Aaron Mychake, Sterling Gell)
LS: Was it a big adjustment to be the only senior this year?
JS: It was hard at the beginning of the season. I let others take on leadership roles on the team and tried to set an example by working hard, especially for this year's juniors.
LS: Can we assume that the backstroke is your 'favorite stroke'?
JS: Yes, because it is the one that I have worked on the hardest . I have worked hard to perfect my 'underwaters'; I guess you could call them my 'crazy underwater kicks'.
LS: Do you have plans to swim in college, and what colleges are you interested in?
JS: Yes, I want to swim in college. I am looking at the University of Buffalo (UB), Binghamton University, SUNY New Paltz, and perhaps Hawaii (I lived there for a year when I was in 6th grade).
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