Junior Nathan Bright, during the summer prior to the start of the 2018-2019 school year, became the first swimmer for the Tigers to get a junior nationals cut since 2016.

“I was really excited to just make finals, but I never thought I was gonna actually get the cut,” Bright said.

Bright got his juniors cut in the 200 yard breaststroke, ranking him in the top 100 swimmers under 18. He is the first male to accomplish this feat from Central since Thomas Heye, an alumni and State champion for the Tigers.

“I knew we were gonna get someone qualified for juniors, but Nathan is just one of those guys who you never know what he will do once he is behind the blocks,” head coach of the Dolphins, Carl Auel said.

He placed as the number one ranked breaststroker in the state of Arkansas and continues to strive to swim in college. Junior nationals is ranked as one of the fastest under 18 meets every year. Many Olympians, like Michael Phelps and Caleb Dressel attended this exact same meet.

“Going to Juniors has been a dream, and swimming in the University of Texas pool has also been a dream,” Bright said.