Timberland junior boys swimmer Andrew Sansoucie enters the 2011 season having accomplished so much in recent days.
That's all before the 2011 high school season began for him.
Sansoucie missed the first week of practice with the Wolves, because he was in Palo Alto, Calif., competing in the 2011 Speedo Junior National Championships.
He did more than just compete, Sansoucie actually came home a winner.
Sansoucie captured the title in the junior national ‘B' final of the men's 100-meter butterfly. He won that race in 54.95 seconds.
"It felt great," Sansoucie said. "It was amazing."
The race win also qualifies Sansoucie for next year's Olympic trials in the event.
Even though it is something that is obviously huge for Sansoucie, the win should pay plenty of immediate dividends, rather than just paying off down the road at the trials at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.
"I am really looking forward to state this year, because I really think doing that time at Junior Nationals puts it (a state title) more into possibility," Sansoucie said. "I definitely (want to go back and compete in the events I did last year)."
All Sansoucie did last year was place fourth in the state in the 50-yard freestyle in 21.42 seconds and second in the 50-butterfly in 50.90 seconds.
After seeing what Sansoucie did recently in the pool, his coach says there isn't any reason for expectations to be tempered this fall.
"Andrew will come in and he's just gong to take things day-by-day," Timberland swimming and diving coach Theresa Cordonier said. "He still goes out there and does the workout I ask him to do. He works hard and he works to keep improving. That's just the great type of kid Andrew is."
That's especially something, considering Sansoucie will likely get plenty more attention in the coming days after qualifying for the 2012 London Olympic trials.
"He is an awesome kid," Cordonier said. "He stays so grounded and he doesn't let all of this get to his head. He's just Andrew and he loves to be in the pool and he works hard at what he does."
One reason Sansoucie says he needs to stay so grounded is there is plenty to do in the pool before he can even begin to worry about next summer's Olympic trials.
He's got a couple of high school state titles to try and run down.
"It is important (to focus on the Gateway Athletic Conference season)," Sansoucie said. "I've got to put first things first. Next (summer) is something I am really looking forward to, but I really have got to keep my focus on those (conference and state) meets. I really want to do well. That's a big goal of mine."
