Up and Comers: Annika Huang Is On the Rise for Bend Swim Club

Up and Comers: Annika Huang Is On the Rise for Bend Swim Club

Annika Huang of Bend Swim Club in Oregon is on the rise.

She may not be the biggest swimmer out there—she’s only 12 years old—but as her coach, Heather Thomas, says, “She is small, but mighty!”

Huang recently won two state titles for Oregon Swimming in the 100 and 200 breast before heading to regionals. She also qualified for her first senior sectional meet in the 200 breaststroke. Her goal was to make a Top 16 time for 12-year-olds, as she came so close when she was 11.

“She’s an amazing competitor who loves hanging with her team and cracking jokes,” says Coach Thomas.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU DO IN SWIMMING?

Right now I’m pretty good at breaststroke, but I work hard at being an all-rounder, having good stroke mechanics with all four strokes—even the backstroke (ugh!).

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST WORKOUTS/SETS YOU’VE DONE?

16 x 100 IM on a tough interval…or any practice where I’m dragging at the start, but my coach has had lots of coffee.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING?

Being/suffering with my friends, and having great coaches to push us because it beats suffering alone.
Working hard and having that turn into results.
Being mentored by older teammates, and mentoring the little ones on the team.
Just being in the water: pool, lake, beach—ALL of it.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE UPCOMING YEAR?

Aiming for time standards in Open meets…and going to Zones.
Going to Disneyland—finally—since we’ve been planning it forever.
Watching the 2024 Olympics.

WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN SWIMMING…AND WHY?

There are some senior groupers on our team that I really look up to because they are supportive both to me and to our whole team. And they show me what can be achieved through hard work.

I also look up to Cody Miller and Elizabeth Beisel because their stories reminded me they were just kids once like us, and that was inspirational—and because they are awesome and were so fun to meet in person last summer and to swim with them!

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES?

I love music. I just started playing the violin, so I’ve got a lot of practice to do to get good.
I like going to the rock gym with my brother and just have fun on the wall.
I like riding my bike with the family.
I like to help my mom bake…and eat the end product!
I like to travel…and hopefully do more of that through swimming. All-Stars was amazing.

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