The Beck File

Age: 14

High school: Danvers High

Year in school: Freshman

Sport: Swimming

Events: 100 breaststroke, 200 IM

What was your first high school meet like?

We swam against Beverly, and I had a lot of confidence. I was pretty happy; we won our two relays I swam in, and I won my two individual events. It was a tight 200 IM and I had to come back in the freestyle at the end. I had a feeling that I'd do well that first meet."

As a young freshman, has the adjustment to high school swimming been tough?

I watched some Danvers High meets last year because I had some friends on the team like Maura Wilson and Dan Crowley. The times were much faster than I thought they would be, so I had an idea coming in (of what it'd be like). I just do what I'm told.

How does high school compare to the YMCA and USA swim events you've participated in?

I like the Y circuit and the USA meets, but sometimes they're four hours long. My first Danvers meet, I barely got my cap and goggles on when the race started. The meets here go really quick; I enjoy that. There's no sitting around."

How about the projected Marblehead-Danvers undefeated swim matchup on Jan. 31?

The kids are already talking about it, and I'm looking forward to it. We'll try and put up a good fight. I've heard about (Marblehead's) Teddy Millett, but I've never met him. I read about him in the Salem News (which he also delivers). It should be interesting to race against him. I know he's breaking a lot of pool records. I hope to meet him afterwards.

Your dad (Jeff) was an all-star basketball player at Gloucester High. Have to you tried other sports, like basketball?

I did youth soccer, Little League baseball and played some basketball. But I preferred an individual sport where I could focus better and have all the responsibility. I was introduced to swimming in fourth grade. My best friend (and neighbor), Ethan Collins, recommended I try it. His dad Peter (a Ferncroft golf pro) and Janice Cushing have been my coaches on the Dolphins since I joined at age 10.

Do you have a swimming idol?

Probably Michael Phelps, who won six Olympic medals. I watch swimming a lot to compare my strokes to theirs.

COMING UP NEXT: Beck and the Falcons swim against on Salem this Friday at the Salem State College pool.

- BILL KIPOURAS