Northwood's Derek Hitchens (far left), Will Chen (middle) and Christopher Leung (far right) have been named to the USA Swimming Scholastic All-American Team for 2021-2022. Photos courtesy of Alex Tolkachev.
Northwood High School's Derek Hitchens, Will Chen, Christopher Leung were recognized by USA Swimming as Scholastic All-Americans for the 2021-2022 swim season, and past academic year.
See the full roster 2021-2022 Girls & Boys Scholastic All-American list here
Derek Hitchens, NHS Freshman
Each year, USA Swimming recognizes its members who excel both in the classroom and in the pool. The Scholastic All-American Team is made up of high school student-athletes who have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and who have achieved a Winter Junior National qualifying time in a single event. To be eligible for this recognition, swimmers must have completed an academic year in high school (grades 9-12) and must be a USA Swimming member athlete. This year, 1281 student-athletes qualified for Scholastic All-American status - 595 girls, and 686 boys from across the United States for the 2021-2022 school year.
Derek Hitchens, a Junior National backstroke/butterflyer, and Will Chen, a Junior National IMer are part of the class of 2025 at Northwood High School. This is their first time being named to the Scholastic All-American Team as freshman.
This past spring, Hitchens, Chen and Leung helped lead the Northwood Timberwolves boys team to a Pacific Coast Championships title win, 5th place CIF Southern Section Championships, and respectable showing at the 2022 CIF State Swimming & Diving Championships. Junior Christopher Leung broke Northwood High School records in the 200 IM (1:48.54) and 50 Freestyle (20.86) along with freshman Derek Hitchens setting a school record breaking 100 Back (50.04). This past summer the boys competed in multiple events and relays at the United States Speedo Junior National Championships held in Irvine, Ca.
Derek, Will and Chris have been privileged to receive their coaching from Northwood High School Head Coach Alex Nieto, and Irvine Novaquatics Head Coach Ken LaMont.
The three boys have a demanding practice schedule that includes eight sessions at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center and NHS Aquatic Center, the home of their high school and club teams. Afternoon training sessions take place Monday through Friday from 3:15 to 6 p.m. In addition, the boys practice for a couple of hours in early morning before school twice a week and on Saturday mornings.
"Sunday is my only day off," said Derek Hitchens. And asked what he does on Sundays, Derek smiled and answered with a single word: "sleep."
About balancing all the swimming practice with challenging schoolwork, Will Chen said, "I try to get my schoolwork done as soon as possible. I can't procrastinate and I must get to sleep at a reasonable hour, so I have the energy to train."
”Swimming has taught me many lessons involving time management that has helped me in balancing out my academics and swimming." said Christopher Leung who recently committed to Northwestern University.
Their academic excellence in AP & Honors classes in math and sciences has led the boys towards considering Pre-Med, Economics, and Computer Science majors in college.
“At Northwood High School, our expectations are high for our swimmers to perform in the classroom academically as well as in the swimming pool, while developing great character and leadership skills," NHS Head Coach Alex Nieto.
Christopher Leung, NHS Junior
Congratulations to Derek Hitchens, Will Chen and Christopher Leung on this great achievement!