Former Smoky student and current University of California Bear, Caroline Piehl and her Four woman swim team broke the American and NCAA record of the 800 yard freestyle relay on Wednesday, February 25. But this is not Caroline’s first success as a swimmer.

According to Scott Cohen, activities director at Smoky Hill, and former swim coach of Caroline Piehl, “She was a state champion when she was a freshman so, she has always been very very talented,” Cohen said. “And I always felt very lucky to coach a kid of that talent level.”

So this victory was not her first major display of her ability.

“It’s not that it opens any more doors for her, I think it’s just one more incredible accomplishment in an amazing career that she has had” Cohen said. “She’s already qualified for olympic tryouts, she swam in Olympic tryouts after her senior year here at Smoky Hill.”

But that does not mean that it is not a big deal for her.

“I mean to be an american record holder, I mean how many of those are there? You know it’s incredible”

Caroline has not let any of that success go to her head though.

“Caroline is an incredibly hard worker, incredibly motivated, both in her class work and in the pool. She is always upbeat, always positive, and worked hard everywhere she was.” Cohen said.