Hayden Curley has been swimming for longer than he can remember.
“Uhhgg, I have no idea actually,” joked Hayden.
Makes sense considering his Dad, Mike Curley, has been the swim coach at Lake Highland Prep for well over 20 years now, coaching his two oldest sons as well. Hayden may call Coach Curley Dad at the pool, but there is no special treatment for the coach’s son.
“I know he always tries to be equal with swimming and everything but I always feel like he is a little harder on me,” said Hayden.
Whatever the dynamic, it’s working.
A silver already in hand, Hayden took first and second in his junior year at the 1A Swimming and Diving Championships with Dad placing the medal around his neck after a victory in the 200 free, a race he was not expected to win.
“That was kind of a shocker that he won that event,” said Coach Curley. “He flipped at the wall 7th or 8th at the 50, 6th or 7th at the 100, and then he started swimming. He got back in the race, ran a couple kids down and got his hand on the wall well.”
Hayden might have won the 200, but it’s the 500 free that is truly his best event. After placing second the last two years, his eyes are on the prize this fall with hopes of winning both for a sweep at states.
And after that, it’s on to college with Hayden garnering interest from several Division I schools. This, the final season Curley will have a son at the pool with him. Hayden will be sorely missed, and not just for his championships swims.
“Our third child has the best disposition of probably any of the kids that I have coached in a long, long time,” said Curley. “We all love our children right, but he is one of the most happiest, easy going kids there is.”
One final season of double the Curley at Lake Highland Prep.