In mid-to-late January — with invitationals over and leading into tapering and the road to Canton — there is a tricky tango in which fast swims remain the objective … but maybe not TOO fast, leaving one in the pool early. It’s a good conundrum to have, of course — but Paul Moody just can’t help it. The University junior and News-Herald coverage area standard bearer in 100-yard backstroke wasn’t necessarily seeking a hammer race Jan. 23 in a Battle of SOM home dual against Gilmour. But he got one anyway, adding another benchmark to what he hopes is a Division II state title push in his signature event. Moody recorded a dominant 100 back win with a time of 52.30 seconds. Battle of SOM boys 100 back, won by US' Paul Moody with a 52.30 pic.twitter.com/dvLFAPYEwW — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) January 24, 2025 For perspective, Moody has the fastest coverage area time in the event this winter, a 49.84 to take top honors at the prestigious Ned Reeb Invitational in early December. He also had a 50.71 to take second at the Viking Invitational and a 52.58 the night before to take third at Big 8. No one else from the coverage area, in what is one of its premier events, has been faster than 52.56. Only two other local 100 back standouts, Perry’s Brody Hicks, with that aforementioned 52.56, and Chagrin Falls’ Cam Mateyo (52.75) have broken 53. So consider a 52.30 amid that aforementioned tricky tango a benchmark just the same. “I would say it is,” Moody said. “I’m definitely working on my underwaters and working on my overwaters, too, a little bit. But it’s a good building block.” Moody enjoyed an outstanding sophomore campaign, taking third in 100 back at the D-II state meet, along with a seventh in 100 butterfly, to earn 2024 first-team News-Herald all-star plaudits. By state, he was going 50.68 a year ago in a competitive year for D-II 100 back paced by two-time News-Herald boys swimmer of the year and state champion Krys Gorski of Andrews Osborne, now a freshman swimming at Ohio State. So getting consistently under 53 well before February shows the leaps and bounds by which Moody has grown from what was already a pretty decent perch as it was. “I would probably say my endurance (has improved),” Moody said. “My endurance has definitely gone up. I have a lot more people at practice who I’m able to push with, like Quinn (MacPhail), Jake (MacPhail) and a few others. It’s been really good. “Mostly, it’s been tough practices. Coach (Brian) Perry likes to do a little bit of hard practices, which I kind of like. There’s one set I really like that Quinn and the whole team do it. Jake, Quinn and I, we’re normally in one of the distance lanes. It’s a little rough, but it definitely helps.” Before getting into the heart of high school season at US, Moody had experiences in club season that were memorable — each in their own way. He competed in US Winter Junior Nationals in Greensboro, N.C. — although that could have gone a little more ideally. “I actually burst my ear drum at that meet,” Moody said. “It was right around the same time as last year, too. So it was kind of a rough meet, but it helped me learn to push through injuries. “I was still going best times at that meet, even with being sick and having a burst ear drum. I’m looking forward to when I’m at top shape, ready to race.” Before that over the summer, while competing for his club program Great Waves Aquatics, Moody was invited to a USA Swimming National Select Camp after capturing 200-meter backstroke at the Columbus Sectional and Richmond Futures Championships. A 2:02.11 in 200-meter back broke into the top-50 all-time for 15- and 16-year-olds. He also cracked the top 100 for his age group in 100-meter back. “That was really cool,” Moody said. “I got to meet a lot of new people from that. I got to meet some people from across the country. “It was a great experience.” Moody also got his future plans settled, committing to swim in college for Army West Point. Beyond the obvious honor that is a West Point opportunity, the school has a deep personal connection for Moody. “So my dad, he worked there when I was growing up. Kindergarten into fifth grade, I was there,” Moody explained. “I got invited there for a visit. So I was on my first official visit, getting back there and getting to see all my cousins that go there, my uncle who teaches there. It was really great to get back there. One of the coaches offered me a spot. It was my top school, so I committed. “I’ve always looked at West Point. It’s been a great benefit. It’s a blessing to me, really, to be able to have a chance to go there.” He also captured 100 fly with a 53.47, went 23.36 for his back split on the victorious 200 medley relay (1:39.15) and had a 49.81 popper on the winning 400 free relay (3:19.68). Due to the late-January timing, there was just one new addition for coverage area leaders emerging from the meet, a 5:02.06 from US’ Charlie Shade to take third in 500 free. There were three top-notch head-to-head battles on the boys side. US’ Brad Perry outdueled Gilmour stalwart P.J. Koerwitz in 50 free with a 21.80 to Koerwitz’s 22.57. Koerwitz came back for a nice comeback win in 100 free with a 49.20, ahead of Preppers’ staple Alex Pesek (49.67). Boys 100 breast was also entertaining, with US’ Aiden Stewart going 1:02.47, ahead of Gilmour’s Luke Woodhouse (1:02.91). US' Aiden Stewart discusses his 100 breast win during the Battle of SOM & the outstanding young NH area talent in the event, of which of course he's a key cog as a sophomore with sub-1 potential pic.twitter.com/NkGfQum0i5 — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) January 24, 2025 The Lancers’ girls squad swam against non-coverage area powerhouse Hathaway Brown. Runner-up swims of particular note were turned in by Tinsley Zhang (100 free, 55.66) and Lorelai Kaufman (100 breast, 1:10.18). Battle of SOM boys 200FR, won by US with a 1:30.17Gilmour 2nd 1:34.25 pic.twitter.com/X4OqWOrqmr — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) January 24, 2025 Battle of SOM boys 100 free, won by Gilmour's PJ Koerwitz with a 49.20US' Alex Pesek 2nd 49.67 pic.twitter.com/nnCfmOY3CM — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) January 24, 2025 Battle of SOM boys 100 breast, won by US' Aiden Stewart with a 1:02.47Gilmour's Luke Woodhouse 2nd 1:02.91 pic.twitter.com/aHKhR9bHav — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) January 24, 2025 Battle of SOM boys 50 free, won by US' Brad Perry with a 21.80Gilmour's PJ Koerwitz 2nd 22.57 pic.twitter.com/ouJCenyt5Y — Chris Lillstrung (@CLillstrungNH) January 24, 2025