Carson Hick swims in the Consolation Finals of the 500 yard freestyle during the SEC Championships. Photo Courtesy University of Kentucky Photography

Carson Hick’s reaction after touching the wall first to win his 1650 yard freestyle heat. Photo Courtesy of University of Kentucky Photography

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Since the age of eight, Carson has competed in USA Swimming.  The aim of USA Swimming is to train and prepare athletes for the U.S. National team through selection at the Olympic Trials.  Since relocating to Los Alamos in 2016, Carson has trained with the Los Alamos Aquatomics under Coach Mark Scott.  Last summer he began training with the Kentucky Aquatics (UKY) swim team.  He qualified for the U.S. Open National Championships in the 800M and 1500M freestyle distance events, competing this past December.  

Carson reflects, “Coach Scott worked with me for years on the stroke mechanics, turns, nutrition, and strength required to succeed at the collegiate level.”  He is training under Coach Jordan Lieberman at the University of Kentucky with high performance teammates like Levi Sandridge and Nick Caruso.

His father says, “Carson has shown a tremendous amount of self-discipline and focus in working to achieve a goal he made many years ago.  I’m very thankful for the dedication of the coaches he’s had to train him to this level.”  Making the NCAAs really just puts him at the starting line, but as one of his coaches recently said, “I have no idea where his upper limit is.”  It will be exciting to watch him swim and represent White Rock.