Kyle O'Brien
Juneau-Douglas High School
Juneau, AK
Senior Kyle O'Brien closes out a remarkable career this year as he looks to add even more awards to an already impressive resume.
"He has that ability to rise to the occasion in big races," Wray said of O'Brien. "On race day, he loves to race. In 32 years of swimming at this school, he's one of the top three boys of all time."
The 16-year-old missed the first week of team practice due to competing in the 2006 Western Zone Swimming Championships in Fresno, Calif.
Competing against the top 15 and 16-year-olds in the western U.S., O'Brien showed he belonged.
He placed second in the 50-meter freestyle, fifth in the 200-meter individual medley, third in the 100 freestyle, fourth in the 100 backstroke and fourth in the 200 freestyle.
"Kyle is the leader of the team," Wray said. "He's matured like you expect him to."
O'Brien is the defending champion in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle events. He also captured the 500 freestyle and was part of the 200 medley and 400 freestyle state championship relay teams in 2003.
Kyle O'Brien, a two-time high school All-American, recently signed a letter of intent and accepted a scholarship to attend NU. O'Brien, a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School in Juneau, Alaska, was voted Alaska's outstanding high school swimmer in 2005 and 2006.
