Ben Hinds, a standout swimmer from North Chili and a junior at McQuaid Jesuit, has officially made Section V history. During a meet at Penfield High School on January 23, Ben secured his final state qualification in the 500-yard freestyle, making him the first junior – or younger – in Section V history to qualify for every individual event at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Meet.
Ben delivered an incredible performance, completing the 500-yard freestyle in 4:48.42, besting his USA Swimming time from the weekend by another two seconds. His time is more than four seconds faster than the state qualifying standard, showcasing his exceptional talent and competitive drive. This extraordinary accomplishment has only been achieved once before in Section V history – by Cam Stetzer of Pittsford in 2024, who completed the feat as a senior. Ben now joins this elite group and has cemented his place as one of the top swimmers in the region.
In addition to his high school accomplishments, Ben trains year-round with the Webster BlueFins USA Swimming team, where he has developed the endurance, discipline, and skills that have propelled him to the top of his sport. He has already qualified in every other individual event and participated in all three relay teams. His 400 Freestyle Relay team is currently ranked first in New York State.
The McQuaid team continues to build momentum heading into Sectionals and looks to defend their Section V Class B Championship title from last year.
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