Robert Solomon
Forty-nine seconds. That’s how fast Jonathon Rought can swim 100 yards. Actually, he swims 25 yards, stops, turns around, and then swims another 25 yards until he has swum a total of 100 yards. And he does it all in 49 seconds. For those of you who are unaware of how fast this is, let me put this in perspective for you. Michael Phelps can swim 100 yards in 42 seconds. Now, I understand there is a 7 second gap between Michael Phelps’s and Jonathon’s time; however, this should give you an idea of the speed behind this guy’s stroke. Maybe I am so fascinated by this spectacle because I am a swimmer myself, and I can’t swim anywhere near 49 seconds. Maybe I am so fascinated because I don’t know if I could run 100 yards in 49 seconds. Maybe I am so fascinated because this means that Jonathon can consistently swim over two yards – six feet – in one second. Whatever the reason, you have my approval to safely call Jonathon “Michael Phelps, Jr.”
Forty-nine seconds. That’s how fast Jonathon Rought can swim 100 yards. Actually, he swims 25 yards, stops, turns around, and then swims another 25 yards until he has swum a total of 100 yards. And he does it all in 49 seconds. For those of you who are unaware of how fast this is, let me put this in perspective for you. Michael Phelps can swim 100 yards in 42 seconds. Now, I understand there is a 7 second gap between Michael Phelps’s and Jonathon’s time; however, this should give you an idea of the speed behind this guy’s stroke. Maybe I am so fascinated by this spectacle because I am a swimmer myself, and I can’t swim anywhere near 49 seconds. Maybe I am so fascinated because I don’t know if I could run 100 yards in 49 seconds. Maybe I am so fascinated because this means that Jonathon can consistently swim over two yards – six feet – in one second. Whatever the reason, you have my approval to safely call Jonathon “Michael Phelps, Jr.”
Jonathon moved to Georgia this past year from Texas where the sport of swimming is much more rigorous than it is in Georgia. Let me give you an idea of the difference between the swimming in the two states:
Georgia Sectional Championship Qualifying Times | Event | Texas Sectional Championship Qualifying Times | |
49 seconds | 100 yards freestyle | 48 seconds | |
1 minute 48 seconds | 200 yards freestyle | 1 minute 45 seconds | |
22.79 seconds | 50 yards freestyle | 22.29 seconds |
Also, a typical swim set during one of Jonathon’s typical practices in Texas would look like this:
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 30 sec.
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 29 sec.
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 28 sec.
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 27 sec.
etc...
This pattern continued until Jonathon was physically unable to swim the next 100 yards. Now, keeping in mind that there are no breaks in between each 100 yards, Jonathon stopped at 1 min. 0 sec. This means that Jonathon swam 100 yards 30 times, going one second faster after each 100 yards. The rigor of practice and Jonathon’s determination allows him to swim 100 yards in 49 seconds. Although Jonathon plans to major in engineering in college, he has always loved swimming since he started at age 6 and plans to keep swimming a part of his life.
While Jonathon focuses the majority of his time on swimming, he is also involved in many other activities, one of which is playing the piano.
Although he hasn’t been playing piano as long as he has been swimming, Jonathon has already acquired an eclectic repertoire of pieces. When asked which genre of music he plays, Jonathon replied, “I like playing blues the most, but I play almost all genres, from jazz and blues to hip hop and modern classics.” While this sudden burst of confidence may seem false, I wouldn’t question it, not only because I’ve heard him play but also because he is one of MAS’s newest and yet strongest debaters. Even though it’s Jonathon first year debating, he received a green check mark by achieving a winning streak at his very first tournament!
Jonathon faces each new challenge with the determination and mindset to succeed which is seen in his success with swimming, piano, and debate.
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 30 sec.
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 29 sec.
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 28 sec.
Swim 100 yards in 1 min. 27 sec.
etc...
This pattern continued until Jonathon was physically unable to swim the next 100 yards. Now, keeping in mind that there are no breaks in between each 100 yards, Jonathon stopped at 1 min. 0 sec. This means that Jonathon swam 100 yards 30 times, going one second faster after each 100 yards. The rigor of practice and Jonathon’s determination allows him to swim 100 yards in 49 seconds. Although Jonathon plans to major in engineering in college, he has always loved swimming since he started at age 6 and plans to keep swimming a part of his life.
While Jonathon focuses the majority of his time on swimming, he is also involved in many other activities, one of which is playing the piano.
Although he hasn’t been playing piano as long as he has been swimming, Jonathon has already acquired an eclectic repertoire of pieces. When asked which genre of music he plays, Jonathon replied, “I like playing blues the most, but I play almost all genres, from jazz and blues to hip hop and modern classics.” While this sudden burst of confidence may seem false, I wouldn’t question it, not only because I’ve heard him play but also because he is one of MAS’s newest and yet strongest debaters. Even though it’s Jonathon first year debating, he received a green check mark by achieving a winning streak at his very first tournament!
Jonathon faces each new challenge with the determination and mindset to succeed which is seen in his success with swimming, piano, and debate.