Robinson Grad Swims at Olympic Trials

A graduate recently went to the Olympic trials for swimming, placing 29^th.

“It was an awesome atmosphere, swimming in that arena. The crowd was really, really excited and it just made me swim so well,” said Ricky Munch, of Clifton.

Munch swam the 100-meter breaststroke and dropped a second and a half in that race. His family and friends were there to cheer him on.

“It was really exciting to go there and watch him swim,” said Marty Clark, Munch’s mother. “He was always had a great feel for the water.”

The 19-year-old University of Florida freshman has swam since he was 5 years old. He swam at the Fairfax Station Swim and Tennis Club in the summers. He also swims with Machine Aquatics, an Arlington-based swim club.

While his ranking was not high enough to make it to the semi-finals, Munch said it was still an experience to swim with some of the highest-ranked swimmers in the word.

“It’s cool just being around them,” Munch said. “They are kind of my teammates and seeing how they deal and operate under all the pressure. I take it all in and try and make myself better by watching them.”  

Munch continues to train year-round for upcoming weeks, working out at eight practices a week, and lifting weights three times a week.