Ciechanowski, 7-foot New Jersey Swimmer honors late father

7-foot New Jersey Swimmer Max Ciechanowski Competes to Honor Late Father

Standing 7 toes tall, Max Ciechanowski has grow to be one of many prime highschool swimmers in New Jersey.

Ciechanowski had his alternative of sports activities, however swims as a result of he loves the game – and since it tightens the bond together with his late father.

“I get asked a lot about basketball and other sports, and what I’m doing swimming,” Max told NJ.com. “The short answer is I’m better at swimming. … I have a true passion.”

His father Karol Ciechanowski died in 2022 from a coronary heart assault at age 45 and was an inspiration for Max. Karol, 6-5, left Poland for the United States when he was in highschool, set faculty data at St. John’s and swam towards Michael Phelps within the 2000 Olympic Trials.

“When I was younger, it just seemed like he was a superhero,” Max stated. “It set the standard of what I think I should achieve and how high I’m able to go in the sport. My dad is who I strive to be like. I’d be grateful to be half the man he was.”

At 13, he took solace within the water.

“The pool has always been a place for me where I’m able to take time away from whatever’s on my mind,” Max stated. “I have that outlet for two hours to go and just swim and focus on that.”

And that’s what he did – burying his grief lap after lap.

“I couldn’t think, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat. I didn’t know what to do,” his mom Martyna stated. “He was swimming every day for hours. He didn’t want to talk to anybody. He just wanted to swim. I spoke to his coach and a psychologist, who’s a friend, and they said, ‘Let him.’”

It went from a spot of solace to a spot the place Max discovered goal.

He swims for Delbarton High School in Morristown and as soon as he received into the water there, he was coping with completely different type of ache – progress spurts, which led to pulled muscular tissues throughout his physique. Delbarton additionally produced Jack Alexy.

“He dealt with a lot of growing pains, particularly in his knees and his legs,” Delbarton coach Pat Savidge informed NJ.com. “He had grown so much in the year leading up to it. He still swam fast, but I don’t think he improved as much as he had hoped for himself.”

Until this season.

Ciechanowski completed fourth within the 200 free on the state finals (1:40.77). He helped Delbarton win its first Morris County title since 2020 with county titles within the 200 free (1:54.42) and 400 free (4:05.72) and was a part of the state’s prime dash relay.

With two extra years in highschool, his aim is to grow to be an Olympian.

A tall job, however then once more, he’s fairly tall.

Read the full NJ.com article here.