At age 16, Camden Taylor, class of 2023, has broken all of East’s swimming records in just three short years.

For 10 years, Camden has been swimming for a team. He has been on East’s team since his freshman year.

“[Camden] definitely [works the hardest],” said Amy Taylor, head swim team coach.

All of his hard work has paid off, he has broken 16 records in just a matter of three years. Though he may not feel different after breaking these many records, his coach, teammates, and school are proud to have him.

“…I’m proud of him…” said Taylor.

Ben Bathje, class of 2022, has swum with Taylor since his freshman year. He has seen how hard Taylor works, as well as all of the outcomes. Bathje believes that Taylor works harder than anybody else he has encountered and that definitely shows in his times.

“I’ve seen a lot of good swimmers…he just works harder and moves through the water differently than anybody else,” said Ben Bathje, class of 2022.

A goal for Taylor this season was to place at state, which he accomplished a few weeks ago placing 2nd in the 100 freestyle and 5th in the 200 freestyle.

Taylor plans on swimming for a college, specifically the University of Kentucky or Florida.

What has kept Taylor going for this long? Why has he stayed with this sport for 10 years and plans on going for longer?

Taylor says it simply, he likes to swim a lot. His favorite events, according to his coach, are the 200 free and 100 free. His best time for a 50 free, down the pool and back, is a 21.03, compared to Olympian Caeleb Dressel who has a 21.04 second 50. His coach says that Tyler Pidde, former Boylan swimmer, has always been a role model for Taylor. Pidde and Taylor swam on the same club team before Pidde graduated.

“Cam has always looked up to [Tyler] since he first started swimming,” said Taylor.

Taylor was never formally taught how to swim. He was taught in the wave pool at magic waters by his mom, now a coach. He also attended Rookie Week at club teams, which is when you try out for a team for a week to see if you like the team, for two years and quit.

Taylor’s exciting adventure, so far, has left him with 16 broken records. The previous holder of the records, Tim Sutton, who held the records from 1978 and 1979, is coming to visit and watch as Taylor puts the new records up. The coach is trying to get the news to come.

Camden Taylor is yet another story proving that if you have a passion and put in time and effort, you can succeed in anything.