A New Standard in High School Swimming: Bolles Shatters National Record!
At the 2025 FHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships - 1A, held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala, FL, the Bolles School's 200 medley relay team achieved something truly remarkable. They didn't just win; they dominated, rewriting the record books in the process.
Bolles' team, comprised of seniors Krish Jain, Lucas Young, George Dovellos, and Liam Carrington, managed to eclipse the national high school record of 1:26.75 set earlier in the year by Hinsdale Central (IL). Their final time? A breathtaking 1:26.67! This victory wasn't just a win; it was a statement.
But the story doesn't end there. This incredible performance was just one highlight of the weekend for Bolles. They also clinched victories in both the 200 freestyle relay (1:20.29) and the 400 freestyle relay (2:55.23), showcasing their overall dominance in the pool.
Let's break down how they did it. Jain set the pace with a blistering backstroke leg of 21.95. Young followed with a breaststroke split of 24.37. Dovellos then unleashed a near sub-21 second fly leg, clocking in at 21.03. Finally, Carrington anchored the team, charging home in 19.32 to secure the new national record. This victory was by nearly six and a half seconds.
For context, the previous record was set at the 2025 Illinois High School Boys State Championships in February by the Hinsdale Central team, featuring Luke Vatev, Josh Bey, Henry Guo, and Matthew Vatev. Their time of 1:26.75 stood as the benchmark until Bolles' stunning performance.
A Legacy of Excellence: This win marks Bolles’ 6th straight FHSAA 1A 200 medley relay win, and their 17th 200 medley win in the last 18 years.
Splits Comparison:
| | Bolles (New Record) | Hinsdale Central (Former Record) |
| :---------------- | :------------------ | :------------------------------- |
| Back | Jain – 21.95 | L Vatev – 21.53 |
| Breast | Young – 24.37 | Bey – 24.04 |
| Fly | Dovellos – 21.03 | Guo – 21.01 |
| Free | Carrington – 19.32 | M Vatev – 20.17 |
| Total Time | 1:26.67 | 1:26.75 |
The Decisive Factor: The key difference between the two record-setting swims was the freestyle leg. Carrington's anchor leg outpaced Matthew Vatev by an impressive 0.85 seconds. Interestingly, every other leg was slower than Hinsdale Central's performance, making Carrington's finish all the more critical.
Looking Ahead: These student-athletes are already making plans for the next chapter of their academic and athletic careers. Jain has committed to Columbia University, Young to the University of Michigan, Dovellos to Harvard, and Carrington to NC State.
What are your thoughts on this incredible achievement? Do you think the freestyle leg was the most crucial part of the race? Share your opinions in the comments below!
