Swimming: Nebrich sets records
Published 12:07 am Monday, July 29, 2024
- Luke Nebrich
Missouri recruit Luke Nebrich
Staff report
IRVINE, Calif. — Rowan Aquatic Club’s Luke Nebrich competed in the recent USA Swimming Junior-Senior National Championships and raced to records.
Nebrich, an 18-year-old 2024 West Davidson High graduate who was recruited by the University of Missouri, broke records for the Rowan team in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
RAC team director Hannah Hawkins said Nebrich is the fastest male sprinter developed in Salisbury YMCA’s 41-year history. He beat his own standards in California, swimming the 50-meter freestyle in 23.91 and the 100-meter freestyle in 52.23. His 50 placed him as the 27th-ranked Junior in the nation.
Nebrich is an Eagle Scout who also competed in track and field for the Green Dragons.
Hawkins said he chose YMCA swimming for its individual and team opportunities. He has been practicing with RAC since age 13, improving through Y Regional and National events to become a multiple state champion and record holder.
Nebrich was voted the Most Outstanding Swimmer as a senior at the 1A/2A State Championships. He won the 100-yard butterfly and the 50-yard freestyle. He broke the record for the 1A/2A State Championships with a 20.31 clocking in the 50 freestyle prelim.
At the 2024 YMCA Short Course National Championships last April, Nebrich placed 8th in the 50 free (20.41) and 9th in the 100 free (44.72).
Nebrich, who holds West Davidson records in four individual events, will begin college life at Missouri in a few days.
Hawkins made the trip to California for the event and is excited for Nebrich’s future.
“RAC may be a small team, but we have an incredible history, with former greats like Todd DeSorbo (head coach for the USA women in the Olympics) and others, developed by founding RAC Coach, Phyllis Steimel,” Hawkins said. “RAC can help any child develop through high school and beyond. The team is open to new swimmers, and has open tryouts at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, followed by an Olympic Games party at the Y.
