Max Marcus, senior, is a record holder for swimming at Kirkwood. He is heading to Princeton University to continue his path in swimming, following in his older sister’s footsteps. He is a two-time state champion in the 500 yard freestyle and a one-time state champion in the 200 yard freestyle.
“In [my] 13 years that I’ve been coaching here, he has [one] of the best work ethics of any athlete I’ve coached,” Matt Beasley, varsity swim coach, said. “He’s serious when it comes to putting in the time in doing the work that needs to be done and performing when it counts.”
Marcus has been swimming since he was six, and continues to build himself up into the athlete he is today. He said his goal in college is to make the NCAA championship, which is the equivalent of March Madness. Marcus said if he makes the championships, he will be able to represent his school on a national level.
“[Coach] Beasley and my club coach helped me train [along with] my friends and teammates,” Marcus said. “They helped push me along the way to get me where I am.”
Josh Denckhoff, senior and Marcus’s swim teammate of 10 years, said he is motivated by Marcus’ attitude towards swimming. He said he knows he won’t be able to outdo Marcus, but he still is motivated by him regardless.
“I like how he takes things on with a silly attitude and I love how carefree he is,” Denckhoff said. “I’ve been racing with him for 10 years now and he’s always [encouraging] me in the pool. We’ve always had that connection to push each other [to do better]. He’s so freakishly smart and fast that it’s kind of hard not to admire him.”
Marcus said he does have a fear of failing, but that he knows failure is a part of the experience. He said he is excited to continue his swimming career, and to find new friends and family at Princeton.
“Everybody fails, and it’s hard to push through when you [do],” Marcus said. “But when you’ve got friends that are failing with you and telling you that you can do it, and coaches that have seen other people fail before you, [you realize] failing isn’t the end, it’s the beginning.”
