The West Haven High School swim team made history when the 200 Medley Relay group of Nathan Charron, Naomi Shubin, Austin Carr, and Benjamin Proano raced to a time of 1:47.63, breaking a school record that had stood for 35 years. From the moment Charron launched into the opening backstroke leg, the energy around the pool made it clear that the relay had the potential to do something special.
For Charron, a senior captain who has grown up in the West Haven program, the moment carried personal meaning. He said, "Growing up swimming for West Haven, and having swam all four years at the high school, it means a lot to say that I've left a mark on West Haven Swimming, and even more that I get to share that honor." He also thanked Coach Holt and Coach Dickson for helping guide him to this point.
Shubin, a sophomore who swam the breaststroke leg, felt the strength of the relay before they ever stepped onto the blocks. She said, "Before the race even began, we arrived at the meet full of energy and ready to swim. When Nate finished his backstroke with an incredible time, it gave me an extra boost of confidence." She explained that she trusted Carr and Proano to keep the momentum going and thanked Coach Dickson and Coach CJ for preparing her for big moments like this.
Carr said that the progress he made this year came from the environment created within the relay group. He explained, "Practicing with this group has molded me into a better swimmer in more ways than I could have imagined. When you train beside people who believe in you, you start to believe in yourself." His butterfly leg helped keep the relay in position to challenge the record.
Proano, a junior captain who anchored the relay, was stunned when he saw the time flash on the board. "When I saw the time, I had to look at the board twice. It was honestly a mix of shock and excitement," he said. He added, "As a captain, it means even more because this wasn’t just one person, it was our whole team. Knowing that this group made history together is something I’m really proud of."
Coach Chris Holt praised the group for their steady effort over the course of the season. He said, "They have worked so hard every day, constantly looking up at the record board displayed on the wall at the pool. To finally watch them break through and beat the record took a lot of heart and truly believing that they could achieve it."
The meet became even more memorable when Charron added another major accomplishment by setting a new school record in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 56.55. Charron said, "I've been swimming for most of my life, and it's extremely gratifying to know that countless seasons of hard work have led to breaking the backstroke record and the relay record. It feels great to finally get some new names up on the wall." Coach Holt reflected on Charron’s growth since his sophomore year, saying, "To watch him reach the goal has been one of the best moments I've had coaching the team. Nate has grown so much not only as a swimmer, but even more importantly as a leader for this team."
Both of the records set that day reflected what this group has become. Each swimmer played a role in forming an environment where improvement felt possible and support was constant. The individual achievement added another highlight to the meet, but it was the relay that captured what the team has built together. The performance by Charron, Shubin, Carr, and Proano now stands on the record board as a reminder of what can happen when swimmers trust the process, push each other, and rise to their moment as one group.
[Click here to watch the School News recap highlighting this historic achievement]