Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Boys Swimming Athlete of the Year: La Salle’s Buck all business in the pool
From a freshman with promise to a senior whose work ethic set the bar for others to climb to, Quinn Buck’s evolution in the pool has been something to see.
“I’ve matured in the way I think about my training,” Buck said. “Freshman year swimming was the social aspect of my life and as I’ve grown, I’ve learned that swimming and my training are my second job, behind school. It’s about showing up to practice always ready to work my hardest and push myself beyond my limits. It’s taught me perseverance that I am able to implement in my life beyond the pool.”
Selected Athlete of the Year for Boys Swimming and Diving, Buck was a leader in many ways for the Explorers, and had a magnificent senior season that culminated in four state medals.
“I feel great with the way the team battled,” he said. “From our start in November to the last 400-yard free relay in March, it was a battle and that’s what we knew this season would be. I’ve created great memories with this team from service projects to a training trip in Fort Lauderdale (Fla.).
“This group was truly something special. One of the biggest classes in La Salle history with 10 members and I can truly say each member had a role. I feel honored to call myself a leader of them and this team. We always knew how to support each other inside the pool and out. I think the most special thing about this class was the bond we formed throughout our years here. Coming in, I could only call two of them my close friends and now all 10 are my boys for life.”
At the PIAA-3A Championships, Buck was a bronze medalist in the 50 free with a time of 20.41 seconds and he also raced to fourth in the 100 free in 45.20. The senior led off the bronze-medal 200 free relay, which finished in 1:24.06, and he anchored home the 400 free relay, which earned a bronze in 3:05.95.
Said Buck of his passion for the freestyle events: “The splash and dash. There’s no other way to put it. I believe my success comes from my natural athleticism that truly shows in sprint freestyle events. My start is the most lethal part of my race and I believe I excel at it due to my cross athleticism – playing lacrosse and swimming my entire life.”
The efforts poured forth by Buck and the Explorers nearly netted a state-title three-peat: nevertheless, they earned State Runner-Up honors. Buck and the seniors earned a third place, two state titles, and a runner-up over the last four seasons.
Asked what he enjoyed most about La Salle, Buck said: “the brotherhood. Coming in as a freshman, I was immediately taken in by the seniors. The team never felt divided amongst grades: freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors…It was always La Salle Swimming. The pasta parties and other various gatherings made my time on the team something I will cherish for life.
“This year’s state meet was truly a dogfight and that’s what myself and the team knew to expect. I was completely satisfied with my own performance, missing some of my season goal times. But the team performed outstanding. We had many first-year state meet swimmers and they rose to the occasion for sure. It was great watching everyone compete and seeing ridiculous times across the state.”
Buck’s evolution has set the table for the next level at South Carolina.
Explorers coach Steve Duncheskie said that early on in Buck’s days with La Salle, “he kind of picked up little hints from the older guys. Sure enough, he became the older guy. Really just that raw work ethic is something that he passed along to the younger kids. Like, ‘hey, if you wanna be good, this is what you gotta do.’ And it’s not easy. You have to put the time in, and he absolutely put his time in.
“He’ll do great (at SC),” Duncheskie said. “The 50 – that takes care of itself. But I think his mindset is: what else can I do to help the Gamecocks next year? That’s when he got better in that 100 free. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does some 100 breaststroke for them. He actually is a very fast breaststroker. He would have finaled at states. So when he gets set up at the conference championships next year, I would not be surprised to see him in a 100 breaststroke or maybe even a 200 free. He’s kind of hid some of these other talents that I think next year, South Carolina will need him for and they will start to show a little bit more.”
Buck is excited – and truly well-prepared – for the next challenge.
“I am so pumped to train under coach (Jeff) Poppell and experience some of the highest levels of swimming,” he said. “I thrive off of intense competition and will definitely receive that in the SEC. I cannot wait to take my skills to the next level and see where that takes me.”
