Seneca Valley sophomore Owen Blazer has already set a Raiders' pool record this season in two events, an individual school record, and was a member of a Seneca Valley relay team that set a pool and school record.

JACKSON TWP — Just two weeks into the high school swimming season, Owen Blazer has already shown he is not resting on his accomplishments from a breakout freshman campaign.

In a meet against Knoch Dec. 12, the Seneca Valley sophomore broke SV's pool record in the boys 100-yard butterfly with a time of 52.19 seconds, edging the previous standard of 52.24 by Bethel Park's David Ruch in 1999.

Then, in a home meet against Peters Township on Tuesday, Blazer swam a 51.29 in the 100 backstroke, breaking yet another pool record and his own school record of 52.13 set at the WPIAL meet last season.

“I'd say my best event right now is the backstroke, but it goes back and forth with the fly,” said Blazer. “I also turn in a really good swim every few meets in the 200 IM. I'll be swimming two of those three events at WPIALs.

“Coach (Brian) Blackwell was really working us hard before the season and I knew I'd have some good early swims. I was pretty excited for the season to start.”

But arguably the most satisfying moment this season for Blazer came when he teamed with Christian Sawyer, Connor Quiggle and Jake Lee to break the pool and school records in the 200 medley relay in the meet with Peters Township. The quartet turned in a time of 1:37.54. The previous school mark was 1:38.07, set in 2000.

“I've been swimming with those guys since I was 6- or 7-years old,” Blazer said. “We came close to breaking the school record last year and all three of them are seniors now, so it was really cool to finally get it.”

Blazer's efforts have helped Seneca Valley's boys to a 3-0 start. He earned two individual medals at WPIALs last March (7th in butterfly, 8th in backstroke) and swam in both events at the state meet. He aims to do even better when the postseason meets roll around this season.

Blackwell sees a determined and focused swimmer in Blazer.

“Owen has put a lot of work in in the weight room. He has gotten significantly stronger and it's paying off for him,” he said. “He also takes stretching very seriously and is committed to being the best he can be.

“I knew he was capable of some good things as a sophomore. His fly and backstroke are both right on track right now.”

Blazer's mind-set during practices can change, depending on his performance.

“They can be really fun when you're doing well, you're out there in the pool with your friends,” said Blazer. “But practices can be tough if you're struggling. You just have to keep working and get through it.”

Blazer's goals for the rest of the season are clear-cut, but will challenge him to remain focused both in meets and during training.

“I want to get to the finals (top eight at states),” he said. “I'm also trying to make the cut for Junior Nationals (club swimming).”