SPRINGDALE — Dexter Thomas isn’t a morning person by any stretch of the imagination.
But three times every week, the Springdale High junior is up by 5 a.m. to attend an optional hour and a half swimming practice with the hopes it’ll make him better than any of his competitors.
After school, Thomas does the same thing, going back to the pool to practice the sport that he’s grown to love since he was 6 years old.
On average, Thomas swims about 35 miles every week in nine combined practices that take place in the mornings and afternoons.
“The guy works harder than anybody I’ve ever seen,” said Matt Hervey, Springdale’s swimming and diving coach. “I really can’t say enough about (Thomas), but he’s such an inspiration to everyone around him. I can promise you there’s nobody that’ll ever outwork or practice more than he does. He’s just a natural at the sport.”
This season, Thomas has flourished for Springdale, staying undefeated the entire season.
This weekend, he’ll have a chance to win his first individual state championship in two events (200-yard medley relay and the 100-yard breaststroke) at the Arkansas High School Swimming & Diving Championships, which begin Friday at Arkansas-Little Rock.
Besides swimming for Springdale, Thomas also competes with the Razorback Aquatic Club AquaHawgs, an area club team that is coached by Scott Berry.
In high school meets this season, Thomas has the state’s best time in the 100 breaststroke and the second-best time in the 500 freestyle. Thomas said he’s also a half second away from achieving national All-American status in the 100 breaststroke.
“For me, the hard work truly does pay off,” Thomas said. “Putting in the hard work is something I’ve always tried to do. I really credit my parents for raising me right, instilling good moral values and showing me the right path.”
Thomas said his biggest goals are to swim collegially at a Division I program and even compete at the United States Olympic Trials.
Next month, Thomas is scheduled to compete at the National Club Swimming Association’s Junior Nationals in Orlando. He’ll also competeat the Speedo Junior National Championships in Palo Alto, Calif., in early August.
“I have lofty goals for myself because I know if I put in the hard work, they might come true,” Thomas said. “Right now, I’m just focused on putting in the hard work as much as I can and improving myself as a swimmer.”
Besides practicing his swimming technique, Thomas said he recently started lifting weights, which has helped build muscle in his body to improve his times. He also eats a strict healthy diet, consisting of water, fruits, vegetables and pasta, which he eats in the days before ameet for added energy.
“I just try to make smart decisions with my body because I know I have to take care of it,” Thomas said. “I have to eat right if I want to compete at a high level.”
The only time Thomas strays from his diet, he said, is after meets when he’ll occasionally reward himself with a double cheeseburger, chicken fingers and a root beer fl oat.
Hervey said watching Thomas compete and constantly improve is something that’ll only help Springdale’s swimming program grow in the future.
“He’s really incredible and I feel like people don’teven know how good he is,” Hervey said. “It’s almost scary to think about his potential, but he’s only a junior and he’s well on his way to being one of the best swimmers this state has ever seen.”
Sports, Pages 9 on 02/24/2011