East’s Grant Wodny Becomes First Duluth Prep Boys Swimming State Champion in 60 Years

The junior won both the 200- and 500-yard freestyles at the Class AA meet. In both races, he would come from behind and break his own school records.

DULUTH, Minn. – This past weekend, the MSHSL state championships took place for prep boys swimming and a local swimmer made history in the pool.

Duluth East’s Grant Wodny won both the 200- and 500-yard freestyles at the Class AA meet. In both races, he would come from behind and break his own school records. In fact, Wodny became the first boys state swimming champion from Duluth in sixty years.

“Last year, I placed third in the 500. But everyone faster than me was seniors so they were all graduating. I worked a lot strength training over the summer so I went into the season faster than I ever got it before,” said Wodny.

“He’s just incredibly dedicated and committed. He’s also very humble in victory and gracious in defeat. He’s a great leader. He leads by example. So it’s all those things that really make him the special swimmer that he is,” head coach Cliff Knettel said.

Wodny’s times also make him eligible for All-American consideration.