Croton Harmon High School Junior Dylan Winthal is returning to Ithaca College to compete in the 2025 New York State Swim and Dive Championships on Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8. The championships are held at Ithaca College’s Kelsey Partridge Bird Natatorium (Indoor Pool Complex). Dylan will compete in the 100 yd. Butterfly (53.25) and the 100 yd. Backstroke (52.58). He actually qualified for states in the 500 yd. Freestyle and the 200 yd. Individual Medley (IM) also, but he is only allowed to compete in two events at states. Last year, as a sophomore, Dylan finished 11th in the 100 yd. Backstroke and 19th in the 200 yd IM in NYS.
The Croton Boys’ team travels to the Ossining Recreation Center for practices where they share a pool with the Ossining High School team while the Croton Girls’ team practices at Mildred Strang Middle School in Yorktown. CHHS Math teacher and Head Varsity Swim coach, Andrew Vogl, had this to say about Dylan: “He is an incredible swimmer and works extremely hard during practices. The other swimmers look up to him. Basically … he’s a fish!”
Reflecting on his second trip to states, Dylan noted that he is more strategic in his mental and physical preparations. It is no surprise that he intends to major in Business, Finance, or Engineering in college. He breaks down what he needs to do to perform even better this year: “Swimming is very mental. I visualize the races to ensure that I am as mentally prepared as possible.” Dylan approaches his training regimen with a businesslike mindset.
Dylan practices seven days a week – sometimes twice a day. He is a member of one of the top teams in the United States, Scarlett Aquatics, based in New Jersey. Unlike of most high school students, Dylan travels forty minutes to New Jersey most mornings before school to train. His older sister Kyla also swam competitively year-round. Dylan credits his parents, Shupei and Louis, for transporting him to practices and helping him with his busy schedule. He added, “There is not an off-season in competitive swimming, and I also lift weights three times a week.”
Dylan aspires to swim competitively in college but has not yet made a decision. Competing at the collegiate level necessitates a flexible schedule that must accommodate individual class schedules and pool availability. He has garnered some interest from Division 1 schools, but recognizes that finding a suitable academic fit takes priority.
Attitude and effort have been key to Dylan’s success. It is obvious that he does not cut corners. “I keep grinding and training as hard as I can, and I mentally prepare myself. I feel ready.” The two-day tournament begins on Friday. Dylan’s teammates, CHHS, Croton Athletics, Scarlett Aquatics, and the entire community wish this hard-working Tiger-Fish the best of luck at states and beyond! You can find updates on Dylan’s progress from @CrotonAthletics on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
