It would be simple enough – not to mention completely accurate – to title Hunter Bayley an incoming senior at Stratford High School.

“Aspiring Olympian,” “Junior National qualifier” and “world traveler” also are acceptable – not to mention completely accurate.

Bayley, coming off a strong performance at the recent U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., visited The Athlete’s Connection on Tuesday afternoon for a sit-down video chat to discuss his recent trip, the upcoming Junior Nationals in Minneapolis and what could be a banner year for the senior-dominated Stratford swimming and diving team.

Competing with Fleet Swimming teammates Neil Caskey, Camille Adams, Cole Cragin and Ellen Lobb in Omaha, Bayley finished 31st in the 200 backstroke. He’ll participate in seven events in the Junior Nationals and come next winter at the state meet, he’ll hope to improve on his third-place finish in the 200 free and eighth-place mark in the 500 free, during which he was hampered by a shoulder injury at last year’s state meet.

“I was not expecting to make (the Olympic) team but I was definitely there for the experience. It’s most likely going to be faster than the Olympics based on past years,” Bayley said.

On competing in seven events – the 50-meter freestyle, 100 free, 200 free, 400 free, 800 free and the 100 and 200 backstrokes – in the Junior Nationals, he said: “It’s always good to qualify for a meet like that. It’s a very fast meet and it’s a lot of people in high school at this. Unless they’re at a very high level of swimming, they’ll be here.”

Click on the “Reel Action” icon above to watch the entire interview.

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