Switching from one sport to another half way through high school is not the norm for many students. But junior Max Petersen flipped his world around when he quit basketball half way through high school to try a new sport.

“I really had no intentions on doing swimming until one day during a Swimming 2 class [head swimming coach] Doug [Krecklow] told me I should try swim team,” Petersen said. “He was really convincing and I started to realize that it might be something worth looking into. Also I did it mainly because I want to stay in shape.”

Max changed up his extra curricular activities in order to try something new. His choice, swimming, takes a lot of commitment. With two or more hours of practice everyday after school, and then morning practices on top of that, swimming is one of the hardest sports to train for. Petersen has had practice with this rigor in the past.

“When I was younger swimming was probably my best sport,” Petersen said. “I quit because it was so demanding.”

This year, Petersen is swimming the 200-yard medley relay, 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle relay and is hoping to get his state cut at Metros this weekend. Petersen is a second off from making his cut on the 50-yard freestyle. Going from a beginner to having the chance to go to state is something he had to take a chance on. Petersen is going to continue his high hopes of swimming next year.

“I am planning on swimming next year,” Petersen said. “It’s a big commitment, but it has been worth it. I think that swimming has been a great decision for me because I have really connected with the people on the swim team. They are a great group of guys and gals.”