Callen Aulizia BOARDMAN | BOYS SWIMMING

That one moment right after he touches the wall, fingers extended and looks up to the board littered with times — that’s why Callen Aulizia swims.

Months and months of sore muscles and lap after lap of the pool aren’t fun during practice, but they’re so satisfying when the results pay off at the state competition.

“I look at it as hard work that finally paid off,” Aulizia said of his individual success at this year’s state meet. “Four months of nonstop work finally came all together into one race.”

Aulizia, a sophomore, finished sixth in the state at the Division I level in the 50 freestyle while he also placed 14th in the state in the 100 freestyle.

“The best part is definitely after [all the work],” said Aulizia, The Vindicator’s male swimmer of the year. “Because during it honestly sucks. You’re working, everything hurts, you’re constantly tired, but afterwards you just get an adrenaline shock when you look up on the board and see and incredible time.”

From a team perspective, Aulizia anchored the 200 freestyle relay team that set a school record at the state competition that had stood since 2007. Aulizia swam a 20.73 to not only help break the record, but turn what looked like a sixth- or seventh-place finish into a second-place finish in a consolation final.

Aulizia called it an honor to swim with his teammates, Kyle Kimerer, Ethan Schwendeman and Aaron DunLany in that final race.

“It’s just incredible to be able to have swam with those three other boys,” Aulizia said. “It was just great. I wouldn’t ask for any other swimmers than the three of them.”

The path to the state competition began in Aulizia’s grandparents’ swimming pool at the age of 6. Aulizia was proud to mention he only had to use arm flotation devices for one year.

“I was constantly in [my grandparents’ pool],” Aulizia said. “My parents noticed that I liked it so much and they thought, ‘We could just throw him in at the YMCA.’ and I guess I did pretty good because I’m all the way where I’m at now.”

— Charles Grove