New Jersey swimmers Richard Poplawski and Sarah Rodrigues have been selected as a Phillips 66 Hometown Heroes for the Toyota U.S. Open in Greensboro, North Carolina. Phillips 66 is proud to highlight up-and-coming swimming talent from hometowns throughout the country.
Poplawski, a sophomore at Seton Hall Prep who swam for Scarlet Aquatics, has had his name all over the All-State list in New Jersey. He noted the U.S. Open was the biggest meet in his career so far and was impressed by the speed of his fellow swimmers.
“It’s so much more different than swimming for a club,” he said. “There’s so much more hype. There’s just so many more emotions than club swimming. You just get into it.”
At this meet, Poplawski finished 12th in the men’s 200m butterfly, 15th in the 400m IM, 13th in the 200m IM and 20th in the 200m freestyle.
Rodrigues, a promising freshman student/athlete at Wayne Valley High School who also swims for the North Jersey Blue Streaks, said she had never competed at large swim meet like the U.S. Open before.
“It’s cool to see the Olympians and everything. It’s a lot of pressure, but it’s good pressure,” she said. “It’s a good experience for me. Swimming for my high school is just like a family. I’m new there and they’re all very welcoming so it’s just like being in another family for me.”
Rodrigues, finished 19th in the women’s 100-meter backstroke and 13th in the 200m backstroke.
Phillips 66 has been a longtime supporter of USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation, with the longest-running partnership in national governing body history. In 2023, the two organizations will celebrate 50 years of partnership.
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Phillips 66. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.