Holmquist sixth at swimming junior nationals

This fall, Stephen Holmquist will officially become a member of the University of Michigan men’s swim team. But for this summer, the Wilton native is still part of the Wilton Y Wahoos club team — and he is making the program proud. Holmquist, who graduated in June from Wilton High School, had a top-six finish — in a U.S. Olympic Trials cut time — at the 2015 Speedo Junior National Championships in San Antonio, TX. The meet took place July 30-Aug. 3 at the Northside Swim Center. Holmquist competed in five individual events, but had by far his best performance in the men’s 400-meter individual medley. After nabbing the eighth and final spot for the A Final with a time of 4:27.77 in his heat, Holmquist moved up two spots to place sixth in the championship race. His time of 4:26.48, a personal-best, was under the Olympic Trial cut in the event. Mark Andrew won the 400 IM in a time of 4:22.10. Rounding out the top six were Cody Bekemeyer (4:23.57), Antonio Ramirez (4:25.11), Noah Cairns (4:25.67), Sean Lee (4:26.26), and Holmquist. Holmquist barely missed qualifying for the C Final in the 200 IM, as his heat time of 2:07.39 left him 25th overall. The time was also a career-best for Holmquist. He also finished 29th in the 800 freestyle (8:23.04), 36th in the 400 freestyle (4:01.58), and 39th in the 1500 freestyle. At Michigan, Holmquist will join one of the country’s top men’s college programs. The Wolverines finished third at the 2015 NCAA championships are ranked first in the 2015-16 pre-season poll. Michigan has won a record 12 NCAA titles, with the last championship coming in 2013.

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