Twelve year-old Braemar Blasters swimmer Michael Brayden Rudd is proof that hard work and dedication pays off, having broken team and league records this year.
Rudd, who goes by Brayden, started swimming at age five in a summer league in Texas. Showing potential and interest, he continued the sport, joining the Braemar Blasters when he was seven, and soon after, the National Capital Swim Club (NCAP).
This summer, Rudd rewrote the Prince William Swim League record for the Boys 11-12 50-Meter Breaststroke, swimming it in just 35:22 seconds. The previous record was held since 1999.
“I just knew I was going to last year,” said Rudd who saw he was approaching the previous record and worked toward improving on his time over the winter.
Rudd also broke the Braemar Blasters record for Boys 11-12 50-Meter Individual Medley and 50-Meter Fly at the same meet on June 15.
Rudd had the advantage of additional year-round training with the NCAPs where he swims with an elite group.
However, Rudd was especially happy with his improvement this season.
“I had a big jump this year, and I dropped time in all my events,” he said.
He attributes these jumps to working with new the NCAP's Coach Mark Faherty.
" our practices have been harder and a lot more structured,” he said.
He explained that his coach pushes his swimmers to aim higher, sometimes by having them train beside older and more advanced swimmers.
To dedicate himself to swimming, Rudd sacrifices other summer activities. He practices five days a week with the NCAPs and also makes the morning Blasters' practices which start at 8 a.m. for his age group.
However, being a top swimmer has not gone to Rudd’s head, and his Blasters' coaches say he is a leader on the team.
“He’s always a positive kid. He is a positive role model for the little kids and for his friends,” said Assistant Coach Annie Livengood.
“We all hang out together,” said Rudd, who is good friends with many of his teammates.
And like many swimmers, Rudd is also a high-achieving student. At Marsteller Middle School in Bristow, he is a member of the Junior National Honor Society, takes all extended or advanced level classes and is excited to be taking Spanish before starting high school.
Rudd said he enjoys swimming because it is an individual, as well as, a team sport, so he can always see the direct effect his efforts have on his performance, but he can likewise help his teammates be successful in a meet.
This year, Rudd’s efforts have paid off nicely by helping the Blasters beat the 14-year undefeated Sudley Seahorses in a dual meet.
Yet, Rudd will not be resting on his laurels any time soon. He is always setting goals for himself and working toward them. His next goal is to break the Prince William Swim League record for the 100-Meter Individual Medley.
Beyond swimming, Rudd runs track for Marsteller, where he is also breaking records, having set the 7th grade mile record last year.
As Rudd is only 12, he plans to continue swimming through high school and college. Perhaps one day he will be coaching his own swim team to victory.
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