Boys Swimming & Diving: Brogan Robinson makes splash for Olentangy Berlin Bears

Brogan Robinson is beginning to surprise even himself.

Already the holder of five individual program records for the Olentangy Berlin boys swimming and diving team and a member of its three top relay times, the senior turned in two All-American performances during the Jim Stacy Winter Championships on Dec. 18 at SPIRE Academy in Geneva.

Robinson won the 200-yard individual medley in 1 minute, 50.61 seconds to record the state’s best time in the event, according to swimmeet.com’s Top 24 honor roll from Jan. 6.

He also was runner-up in the 100 breaststroke in 56.0 — 0.55 of a second behind St. Charles’ Spencer Aurnou-Rhees, who competed in the Olympic Trials last June. Robinson’s performance was the third best in the state.

“I wasn’t expecting to go that fast because with the constant training I was going through, you’re usually beaten down at this point of the season,” Robinson said. “But I had two All-American cuts in the IM and the breast. I beat my times at state by more than a second (1:51.67 in the 200 IM and 57.18 in the 100 breast).”

Robinson qualified for state during his first three seasons with the Bears and finds his name all over the program’s record board. He holds records in the 100 backstroke (57.66), 500 freestyle (4:43.64) and 200 free (1:51.78) as well as the 100 breast and 200 IM from Geneva.

“I think a lot of things make him special, but in terms of swimming it comes down to his focus and work ethic,” coach Glenn First said. “I’ve never coached anyone as hyper-focused as he is, and he brings that to practice every day. He makes the most of every opportunity he has.

“The first half of his high school career he competed in the 500 free and 200 IM, but then realized he had the kick for the breaststroke. It makes sense because it positions him better in terms of having rest (with only three events between the 200 IM and 500 free) and especially if we have him in the 200 (free) relay, (which is the event after the 500 free).”

Robinson said moving to the 100 breast came as he matured and got stronger from work in the weight room.

“I was always good at pacing myself,” he said. “I was like 130 pounds and no muscle and (the 500 free) was something I was used to at the time. Now I’m 170 (pounds). I was going 11,000 yards a day in practice, so 500 in a meet wasn’t that bad.”

Robinson expects to swim in the IM and breast in college after signing with Cincinnati. He has a 4.2 GPA and would like to major in exercise science as part of a pre-med track.

“Swimming has helped me in school,” he said. “You have to be disciplined and you have to be on a tight schedule. You show up on time and give 100-percent effort, just like in swimming. The outcome will be good grades if you do that.”

Robinson also has helped mentor swimmers in Special Olympics since he was in the eighth grade. He said it’s a great way to share his passion for the sport.

“I just love giving back to the community, and it helps me see the bigger picture,” he said. “These kids have cognitive disabilities, but you get to teach them something you enjoy and it gives them happiness. I love to share my love of the sport with them.”

shennen@thisweeknews.com

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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Boys Swimming & Diving: Robinson makes splash for Olentangy Berlin