At 14 years old, Elmira High School ninth-grader Niko Trout is diving into the world of competitive swimming.
Just a few summers ago, Trout started swimming competitively with the swim team in Veneta, just to test it out.
“I think it was a great starting point for me because it was pretty low pressure and introduced me to competitive swimming,” Trout told Falcon News.
Since Elmira High School does not have a swim team, the school is in a co-op with Marist Catholic High School, allowing Trout to compete with their team.
Despite Trout being the only swimmer at EHS, he feels supported by the school and still continues to swim and do what he loves.
After high school, the ninth-grader hopes to be on a swim team in college, and he aspires to swim professionally. Trout hopes to make it to the Olympics one day.
He said his biggest inspiration is 23 time gold medalist Olympian Michael Phelps.
“I’m also a big fan of David Berkoff because of how he revolutionized turns and dives in swimming,” Trout said. “Plus, I’ve met him.”
He hopes for an Elmira High School swim team some day, where students will feel like they have more options for sports.
The Falcon swimmer advises other interested students to do the same as him.
“Talk to the athletic director and see if they can arrange for [you] to swim with another school’s team,” Trout said.
