Maxime rooney olympic trials swimming

By David Rieder

Two weeks before high school graduation, most 18-year-olds are plenty occupied with their last assignments and celebrating with their closest friends.

But Maxime Rooney’s experience was different.

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He swam the 200 freestyle at the Arena Pro Swim Series meet in Santa Clara against two-time Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang.

“I’m not going to say race with him because it wasn’t really a race—he was in a heat with him!” said Steve Morsilli, Rooney’s coach with the Pleasanton Seahawks.

The Chinese distance ace won that race in the fastest time in the world this year (1:44.82), and Rooney touched four seconds later with a fifth-place time of 1:48.85.

But that gap was of no immediate concern to Rooney.

He was pleased just to finish up some pressing school projects with his graduation coming up on Friday, June 17, and to see proof of his improvement in the pool.

“It is my season best, very pleased. We Former U.S. National Team Member Maxime Rooney Announces ... GIRY