Promising Seniors-To-Be 2007: Brian Alden

PHOENIX, Arizona, May 9. THE next rising senior in our series on the next crop of high school recruits is Brian Alden. Alden swims for Chad Allen with Neuqua Valley High and Dave Krotiak with the Fox Valley Swim Team in Naperville, Ill.

As of the May 8 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) release of All-American candidates, Alden holds the fastest time in the country in the 50 free with a 20.10, and is fourth in the nation with a 44.86 in the 100 free.

He also put up times of 53.24 in the 100 back, 51.91 in the 100 fly and 1:54.12 in the 200 IM on the list.

Here are Alden's answers to our interview:

Was there a watershed mark in your career that made it clear you had a gift for the sport and could achieve big things?
To me, the watershed mark in my career came when I was 14 and first broke 50 seconds in my 100 free. I thought that was a really good time, but quickly realized it wasn't once i checked the times that other kids were going in the country. Then, my coach helped me realize what I had to get done to excel in the sport.

What type of interaction do you have with your coach when it comes to training? What kind of input do you have?
I have a very friendly interaction with my coach when it comes to training. He is very open minded to my suggestions, but he will do what he thinks is best for me.

What are your goals for your senior season?
My goals for my senior season are to win the Illinois High School State Meet as a team. It would be the first swimming championship for my high school. I also want to break two state records in whatever I swim, and national records as well.

Who has made the biggest impact on your swimming career to this point?
Coach Krotiak has made the biggest impact on my swimming. He came to our team in 2003, and that was when I realized what it takes to be great in the sport.

Have you verbally committed to any University? If so, which one and why? If not, who is in your top five and why?
I have not committed to any Universities yet. My top five choices would be Stanford, Florida, Texas, Arizona and Auburn. They all have great swimming programs, and I would like to be a part of any one of them.

What has the recruiting process been like for you?
So far the recruiting process has been very easy going for me. I receive letters and e-mails but that is about it.

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