Woodside youth is All American swimmer

His name is Karl Arvidsson, his hometown is Woodside and his list of athletic accomplishments, were one to be compiled, would now include All American swimmer.

Karl, a junior at Woodside High, swam the 100-yard breast stroke in 56.13 seconds in a preliminary heat at a swim meet in Santa Clara on May 15 and 16, according to records from the event. His time led to his All American status and ranks him as one of the fastest swimmers in the United States, said his coach, Joe Perez.

Karl also excels in the relay, Mr. Perez said, a race that includes the freestyle, butterfly and backstroke. “He’s pretty much fast in every stroke,” Mr. Perez said.

He comes from an athletically accomplished family. Karl’s father, Par Arvidsson, won a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, according to records at sports-reference.com.

Karl’s parents are not pushing him to focus on swimming, Mr. Perez said. “They’re giving him the space and time and figure things out,” he said.

Karl pushes himself somewhat. “He is a fierce competitor,” Mr. Perez said. “He’s a racer. He’s somebody who does not like to lose.”

The breast stroke is the most demanding of the four strokes, Mr. Perez said, in that every movement of the arms, legs and torso takes places under water, where resistance to bodily movement is greatest. The breast stroke also burns the most calories of the four, he said.

By Dave Boyce

By Dave Boyce

By Dave Boyce