It was announced this week that the 2020 Summer Olympics would be postponed. That may have some impact on at least one Fort Wayne Athlete. However, one thing remains unchanged: Carroll’s Tristan DeWitt still plans to compete in the Olympic Swim Trials.
“That’ll just be after my freshman year of college, pretty much, is when I will compete,” DeWitt said. “You know nothing’s really changed there, so as of right now, I do have plans to compete in the trials.”
DeWitt earned a spot at the trials at the National Club Swimming Association’s Summer National Meet in August of last year. He qualified in the 100 & 200-meter Breaststroke events. The Swim Trials were originally scheduled for June 20-27 of this year in Omaha, Nebraska. Make-up dates have yet to be announced.
In the meantime, DeWitt is looking forward to his collegiate swimming career at Indiana University. He plans to major in computer science His commitment was made public in 2018, and he signed his letter of intent this past November. He’ll be coached by long time head coach Ray Looze.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” DeWitt said. “I’ve been talking to a lot of this year’s freshmen, [and] they’re all extremely funny, extremely nice, and it’s going to be a great time.”
DeWitt’s high school career has been very memorable. He credits his teammates for helping him to develop.
“My freshman year the seniors were amazing,” DeWitt said. “[They] kind of paved the way for me, and I can’t thank them enough; Jackson Kent and Parker Bull; you know [they’re] just great guys.”
DeWitt took home meet records in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly at the South Side Sectional Meet in February. He was also part of three relay teams that finished in the top two. His teams took first in two of those races; the 200-yard and 400-yard freestyle relays.
“It’s always great getting the records, but then at the same time, you just want to do the best for your team,” DeWitt said. “And I think that’s what I did. And I just kept my team going and just tried to be the best senior leader I could at the big meets.”
The Chargers then went on to State where they finished eighth in the team standings. DeWitt took first in the 100-yard butterfly and took third in the 50 free. It was his second year in a row winning the 100 fly. His relay teams took top five in two events; tying for second place in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and taking third in the 400-yard freestyle relay. He was especially impressed by his team’s performances in the relays.
“This past year’s relays really surprised me,” DeWitt said. “We didn’t think we were going to be as good as we were in the relays, so I was ecstatic and super proud of the guys.”
