An unforgettable swim: ‘09 team breaks national record in relay race

When putting on their goggles, swimming their warm-ups and getting ready for one of their final swims of the season, the 2009 boys’ varsity 4×100 freestyle team probably didn’t predict the enormity of what their next race would bring. But when then senior Matt Murray, senior Ben Hinshaw, sophomore Adam Hinshaw and freshman Ian Burns beat the National High School record for the race, they immortalized the race.

The relay team, along with outstanding performances by multiple swimmers at the 2009 CCS tournament, helped gain the attention of the swim world, and helped the 2009 varsity swim team win the title of Swimming World Magazine National Champions.

On May 19, 2009, the CIF Central Coast Sectional Championships, the foursome broke the national high school record for the 4×100 freestyle relay previously held by St. Francis of Toledo, Ohio and the Bolles School of Jacksonville, Fla., who had identical times made in 1999. The previous record was 3:01.80, which the Falcons surpassed by swimming an awesome 3:00.68.

Murray swam the first 100 meters in 44.83 seconds, followed by Burns, who swam it in 45.45 seconds, Adam Hinshaw in 46.35 seconds, and finally Ben Hinshaw in 44.05 seconds.

“After the actual race it wasn’t that much of a huge deal. To be honest I don’t think we knew we broke it until someone else told us about it,” ‘09 alumnus Ben Hinshaw said. “We were just out there to race and try to get another win in the relays.”

Most of the swimmers echoed the sentiment that the race felt easy, but extraordinary.

“It was an amazing time for me,” said alumnus Murray in an interview with The Morning Swim Show, a swim show hosted by Swim World Magazine. “I was jazzed up from the rest of the meet and all the fast times being swum. It was probably the easiest 100 freestyle that I’ve ever done.”

Current senior Ian Burns was the youngest on the team and remembers what it was like to swim his fastest time that season.

“My split was a really good time for me,” said Burns. “Like Matt said, the swim felt pretty easy for me as well.”

The Hinshaw brothers were also proud of their effort and success during the race.

“I knew I had to swim really fast,” said ‘11 alumnus Adam Hinshaw, who shaved two full seconds off of his best 100 free time during the race. “I needed to give my brother [Ben] a big enough lead to win the race.”

While remembering the race, Ben Hinshaw notes that the swim brought out what he loved in the sport.

“It was really fun being able to participate in that relay and have the opportunity to break a national record,” Ben Hinshaw said. “We swim for fun, to race and enjoy the good times. Recognized or not, I’m still proud to be part of that team.”

The Bolles School of Florida has taken back the record by swimming the race in 3:00.67 on Nov. 12. of this year, just a hundreth of a second on faster than Saratoga’s 2009 record. Still, the 2009 relay team has made a mark that will forever exist in the school’s history.

Aside from the relay, several swimmers made top times and helped the team gain points toward winning the meet, and eventually the national championship.

Ben Hinshaw placed second in the 500-yard freestyle, and fourth in the 200-yard individual medley. Murray placed fourth in the 100-yard backstroke, and Adam Hinshaw finished 11th in the 500-yard freestyle, earning him the top sophomore time in the country.

“The victory came as a huge surprise,” swimming coach Christian Bonner said in 2009. “Our core group showed what they could do at the CCS meet and now they have a national championship to show for it.”

Other swimmers remember the enormity of the success and hope the spring swim season will be as exciting.

“It was a great team to be a part of,” said senior swimmer Tyler Borch, who was a freshman at the time the record was broken. “They are all great swimmers, and have set a great example for the team. I am excited for the new season and can’t wait to get in that pool.”