By Madison Watts, Editor-in-Chief
Being with close friends, staying in shape and cheering on his teammates: That’s what senior Chris Healy loves most about swimming.
Not capturing school records, although that’s always an added bonus – especially when the four school records Healy clutched in this year’s NCHSAA 4-A state competition were previously held by his brother.
When older brother and Reynolds High School alumnus Tommy Healy found out, Chris Healy said it was pretty much a non-event:
“He kinda just laughed and said good job. He wasn’t too heartbroken.”
Only the other competitors were heartbroken, as the Reynolds men’s varsity swim team placed 11th and 12th in the state in the 200- and 400-yard relays. Healy anchored these races; however, he attributes the good finish to the hard work of teammates Stan Green, Quaid Caron-O’Neill, and sophomore Harrison Disher. Individually, Healy placed eighth and 10th in the state in the 50 free and 100 free, respectively.
Reynolds varsity swim coach John Pence had nothing but positive things to say of Healy, whose list of accomplishments includes a two-year reign as team captain as well as team MVP.
“Chris is probably the best sprint freestyler and maybe the best overall freestyle swimmer we have ever had at Reynolds,” Pence said.
Healy began swimming around the age of 6 by taking swim lessons and competing in the summer leagues at Forsyth Country Club. When asked why he got started in the sport, he replied jokingly, “because my mommy didn’t want me to drown if I fell into a swimming pool!”
Where most kids would stop swim lessons after they were allowed in the deep end without floaties, Healy really took to the sport and began swimming for a year-round club team. He competed with the TYDE Swim Team as well as the Reynolds team this year.
Healy likes swimming for Reynolds the most because he says it is much more team-oriented. He attributes his favoritism toward Reynolds swimming to amazing teammates who have become some of his closest friends.
“I really like the group of guys at Reynolds,” Healy said. “Reynolds swimming is more fun because you get to know the guys, and it is fun to cheer them on during races.”
Pence acknowledges Healy’s ability to encourage his teammates and get them energized for races. This is one of the qualities that has assured Healy’s role as one of the team captains both his junior and senior year.
“Chris is definitely a competitor. He has always been one of the swimmers who fires up the team and is at his best in our biggest meets,” Pence said. “Chris has been a great teammate, and Reynolds is really going to miss him next year.”
Green also remarked on how much he enjoyed swimming with Healy because of his dependability and their friendship that developed over the years.
“I like swimming on a relay with Chris because I know that no matter what, he will do his best and put us in a great position for a win,” Green said. “I never worry when we’re behind at first, because he’ll catch up.”
Unable to give up the unbeatable camaraderie of a close-knit sports team, Healy rejoined the varsity men’s tennis team shortly after his last swim meet. Healy competed on the team freshman year, and looked forward to returning for a fun senior year.
“Senior year it is really nice to be returning to the sport to have fun with my teammates. I really enjoy the team atmosphere at tennis, and I really like the coaches, because they’re making it like a family,” Healy said.
Healy also commended the returning players for their hard work in the past three seasons, which resulted in three state championships. Healy hopes he’ll be able to pick up where he left off freshman year and work toward a competitive season with the teammates he became so close with. The Demons open the playoffs today against Hough High at Hanes Park.