By Devin Bloomfield
Last Saturday at the IUPUI Natatorium senior Drew Cato competed in the IHSAA state finals for swimming. He swam in the 200 individual medley, beating the FC school record and the winning state championship.

“I have been dreaming of being a state champion since I was 12 years old,” said Cato.

Cato also swam in the 100 backstroke and came in third with a time of 50.76. His time for the medley was 1:50.46.

Cato has been swimming since he was six years old, somewhat on accident, but it has led to him being a great athlete.

“When I was six I broke my arm and the doctor told me to start swimming for rehab,” said Cato.

Cato received a lot of motivation and encouragement from his older sister Katelyn, who is a 2010 FC graduate who also swam for FC.

“My older sister has always been there to push me in practice. I wouldn’t be the swimmer I am today without her,” he said.

Cato felt relieved after winning his race and achieving his long term goal of being a state champion.

“I prepared by doing a lot of breaststroke because I knew that was where my competition was going to gain on me. I was relieved to know that all of my hard work had paid off in the end.”

Cato said that hard work and dedication are the the keys to achieving dreams. He would tell anyone that is aspiring a life-long dream to never give up and stay motivated.

“Don’t get down on yourself when you feel like it is impossible and you aren’t good enough because that is when most people lose all of their motivation to achieve their goals,” he said.

Cato plans to continue his swimming career at the collegiate level at Western Kentucky University and keep working his hardest every day to achieve his hopes and dreams.