Hold onto your swim caps, because history was just made in the pool! The Bolles School didn't just break a record—they shattered it, slicing through the water to claim the National High School Record in the 200-yard medley relay. But here's where it gets even more impressive: this wasn't just any record—it was one set less than a year ago by Hinsdale Central (IL), and Bolles beat it by a razor-thin margin of 0.08 seconds. And this is the part most people miss: while Bolles’ freestyle anchor leg was lightning-fast, their other legs were actually slightly slower than Hinsdale Central’s. So, how did they do it? Let’s dive into the details.
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training facility in Ocala, FL, the Bolles quartet of seniors—Krish Jain, Lucas Young, George Dovellos, and Liam Carrington—clocked a jaw-dropping 1:26.67 in the 200-yard medley relay at the 2025 FHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships- 1A. This event, held in a 25-yard short course pool (SCY), was nothing short of electrifying. For those following along on Meet Mobile, the meet’s intensity was palpable, and a full recap will be available soon.
Bolles’ victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. They dominated the race from start to finish, finishing nearly six and a half seconds ahead of the competition. Here’s how it unfolded: Jain kicked things off with a 21.95 backstroke split, followed by Young’s 24.37 breaststroke leg. Dovellos then delivered a blistering 21.03 butterfly split, just shy of breaking the 21-second barrier. But it was Carrington who sealed the deal, anchoring the team with a scorching 19.32 freestyle leg that left the crowd in awe.
Now, let’s talk about the record they broke. Back in February 2025, Hinsdale Central’s team of Luke Vatev, Josh Bey, Henry Guo, and Matthew Vatev set the previous record of 1:26.75 at the Illinois High School Boys State Championships. Bolles didn’t just edge them out—they did it with a freestyle leg that outpaced Matthew Vatev’s by a whopping 0.85 seconds. But here’s the controversial part: every other leg of Bolles’ relay was actually slower than Hinsdale Central’s. Does that mean the anchor leg is the true game-changer? Or is it the cumulative strategy that matters most? We’ll leave that debate to you.
This victory marks Bolles’ 6th consecutive FHSAA 1A 200 medley relay win and their 17th title in the event over the past 18 years. Talk about a dynasty! And it’s not just about this one race—Bolles swept the relay events that weekend, also claiming the 200 freestyle relay (1:20.29) and the 400 freestyle relay (2:55.23).
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the splits for the record-breaking swims:
| Leg | Bolles (New Record) | Hinsdale Central (Former Record) |
|---------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Backstroke | Jain – 21.95 | L. Vatev – 21.53 |
| Breaststroke | Young – 24.37 | Bey – 24.04 |
| Butterfly | Dovellos – 21.03 | Guo – 21.01 |
| Freestyle | Carrington – 19.32 | M. Vatev – 20.17 |
| Total Time| 1:26.67 | 1:26.75 |
As for the future of these record-breakers, they’re all headed to powerhouse swim programs: Jain to Columbia University, Young to University of Michigan, Dovellos to Harvard, and Carrington to NC State. With talent like this, it’s clear that Bolles isn’t just dominating high school swimming—they’re shaping the future of the sport.
So, what do you think? Is the anchor leg the most critical part of a relay, or is it all about teamwork and strategy? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
