The senior ended his Conestoga High School swimming career on a high note, being named the PIAA 3A Boys Swimmer of the Meet for the second year in a row, while the Conestoga boys team finished a best-ever second place in the PIAA 3A boys team competition. Wang won the 200 yard IM (PR 1:44.20) and 100 breaststroke (PR 52.36) and was the leadoff swimmer for the Pioneers’ first-place 400 free relay and 200 free relay teams. Last year, Wang was the first Conestoga swimmer to be named Boys Swimmer of the Meet at States since Brendan Burns in 2019. In the past two years, Wang has won four individual gold medals at States (two for 200 IM, two for 100 breast), as well as contributing to three gold medal-winning Pioneer relay teams. At the PIAA District 1 3A championships, Wang was named Boys Swimmer of the Year for the third year in a row. Conestoga boys swimming head coach Mark Tirone said, “Jake is a team leader by example. He’s been very committed and dedicated to hard work in the pool since his freshman year, and it has really paid off for him.” Last December, Wang won the 2023 US Speedo Winter Junior Nationals in the 100 breast with a time of 52.97. Next winter, Wang will swim for Yale University.
Q: What does it mean to you to be named the Boys Swimmer of the Meet at the PIAA 3A state championships for the second year in a row?
A: It means a lot to me, and it is really amazing that I can end my high school career on such a high note. I’ve worked hard for this all season and am extremely excited to have the opportunity to receive the award again. My times were all personal bests for myself, and the experience was extremely rewarding. The fact that I had to go so fast to win the award only further highlights the competition for the award.
Q: What was your favorite memory of States this year?
A: My favorite memory of States this year was definitely the nights in between sessions where we all gathered in one room and hung out before going to bed. It was some great team bonding time and we all got to relax before prelims the next morning.
Q: What do you think was your strongest swim at States this year, and what was the key to your performance?
A: My strongest swim was definitely my 100 breaststroke, and the key to my performance was undoubtedly the training that I’d done for months prior.
Q: What aspect of your swimming have you worked on most recently?
A: My breaststroke endurance.
Q: You mentioned that Charlie Kennedy has been your most valuable swimming mentor. What do you think have been the most important things you have learned from him?
A: How important the mental part of swimming is. He’s taught me a lot on how to be a better swimmer, both physically and mentally.
Q: What is your favorite swimming venue and why?
A: Bucknell is easily my favorite. The pool may not be the best ever, but the environment simply makes PIAA States unbeatable.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: I will wake up early for a morning lift, go to school and then, depending on the day, I’ll have practice right after school or practice later at night. Some days instead of a morning lift, I’ll have a morning double as well.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Conestoga? What do you plan on majoring in at Yale?
A: My favorite class at Conestoga was AP Econ, and I plan on majoring in Economics at Yale.
Q: You belong to the Asian Culture Club at Conestoga and play the piano. What is your favorite performance piece with the piano and why?
A: I haven’t played piano in a while, since I’ve been really busy with school work and swimming, but my favorite piece of music was probably Alla Turca.
Fun facts – Jake Wang
Favorite book: Maze Runner by James Dashner.
Favorite author: James Dashner.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite movie: 1917.
Favorite athlete: James Harden.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Till I Collapse.
Favorite team: Philadelphia 76ers.
Favorite place to visit: Hawaii.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Chicken parm.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
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