Brayden Henkel capped a record-setting senior season swimming for Albany Academy by repeating as state champion in the 100-yard breaststroke.
Henkel’s time of 54.33 seconds eclipsed his own Section II record in the event which he set in winning the state title in 2022.
“I wish I could have broken the state record, but I can’t be mad about going back-to-back. I’ll use it as motivation for the future,” said Henkel, the 2023 Times Union Athlete of the Year for Section II boys’ swimming and diving. He was also a Section II all-star defenseman in soccer his first year playing varsity this past season.
Henkel’s time in the 100 breast also qualified him as an All-America. To do so, Henkel needed to post a time in the Top 100 in the country. He finished the season ranked 11th in the nation. Locally, he has had no peer for over two years. The last time he was defeated in the 100 breast was during his sophomore season.
“To say that his nearly two-second victory over the field at the state championships speaks only to his dominance in the event does not give credit to the hard work he put in during the season or the frustration that he had to deal with and overcome,” said Cadets head coach Scott Young.
Henkel also is the school record-holder in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay and 50 freestyle which was previously held by his brother Bryce Henkel who swims at Boston College now. Henkel won his second straight sectional title in the 50 freestyle and finished runner-up in the event for the second straight year at states. He clocked in the area’s fastest time in the 100 freestyle, but chose not to compete in the event at sectionals and states.
Henkel said he broke pool records in every pool he competed at this year in…
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