Lewis-Palmer swimmer Josh Day had a breakthrough season to garner The Gazette’s Boys Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Year honor.    He was ranked in the top 10 in each individual swimming event in the Colorado Springs Metro League, was chosen by the coaches as the league Swimmer of the Year and was instrumental in the Rangers’ third league title in a row.    The Lewis-Palmer senior tied the school’s best individual finish at state with sixth place in the 100-yard freestyle, 14th in the 50 freestyle. He also swam a leg of the eighth-place 400 freestyle relay.    At state, Day set school individual records in the 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley, as well as part of the 200 and 400 freestyle relays.What do you like best about swimming? I like the competition of going up against other teams and swimmers and measuring myself against them. The 100 free is my favorite event instead of the 50 free because the 50 is too short and I get to use all my speed and energy in the 100. It’s almost an all-out sprint, so I’m pretty tired at the end.Does your family swim a lot? My oldest brother, who is 24, no longer swims, but he did when he was younger. My youngest sister who is 6, swam her first swim meet this year. Everyone in between also swims competitively.Who do you think is the best swimmer between you and your brothers? I think Justin (a freshman at Lewis-Palmer) probably is the best because I think he has a greater desire to excel at swimming.Were your parents competitive swimmers? My dad was not a swimmer, but he ran track. My mom swam for two years in high school when they first organized a girls swim team during her junior year.What are most proud of in your life? My relationship with Jesus Christ.In your swimming career so far? Metro League Swimmer of the Year.Do you plan to keep swimming competitively? I love to swim, so if I go to college I’ll probably take it back up again.What are the benefits about competing on a high school team, while at the same time being home schooled? Home schooling allows me to be flexible and to focus on school or swimming, whatever the season. If I’m not swimming then I have all day to focus on school. But when I have a big meet I can eat what I want and not what a school has to offer. I also get to sleep in but not too late.What word would you use to describe yourself? I’d say ‘focused’ would describe me the best because if I decide to do something I’ll finish it. I’ll put all my energy in working hard to do it.What word would you use to describe your coach? When I think of Alan (Arata), I think of him being ‘technical and sprint-minded.’How has your coach, Alan Arata, helped you to become better? He thinks up various methods of practice and strength training. At the same time he is big on technique.Do you have any hobbies or play any other sports? I played football for Peyton High School in the fall.Who is your favorite musician or composer? Hans Zimmer, left, as a composer. He’s composed a couple of movie soundtracks like “Pirates of the Caribbean,” (sequels) “Batman Begins,” and “Tears of the Sun.”

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