Franklin Regional swimmers make All-American list, including first mother-son duo
Share this post:
Four Franklin Regional swimmers have been named to the 2022-23 National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association’s high-school All-American list, placing them among the top 100 in the nation in four categories.
“We had a very good season,” said FR swim coach Vic Santoro. “Our medley relay were state champions, and our 200 freestyle relay were runners-up. That’s the best we’ve done at state relays in the 32 years I’ve coached.”
Incoming seniors Holden Thomas and Ben Holm, and 2023 graduates Aiden Bunker and Jason Tosh, all were designated as NISCA All-Americans. After the quartet finished third in the 200-meter relay at the WPIALs, they posted a time of 1:32.18, beating the school record they set in preliminaries and earning gold medals at the state championships.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Santoro said. “That’s something they’ll take with them the rest of their lives.”
For Thomas and his family, it’s part of an even larger moment — the first mother-and-son duo from Franklin Regional to both make NISCA’s All-American list. Thomas’ mother Kelly was a Panther swimmer before graduating in 1992.
“Both Holden and I started swimming when we were around 5 years old, as part of the summer swim program at Meadowink (Swim Club),” Kelly said. “He’s been swimming ever since, pretty much all year round.”
Thomas, 17, said the four swimmers were closer this past season than they’ve been before as a team. Not only did they swim together at FR, but they also have been on the same club teams in the offseason.
“The four of us pretty much swim together year round,” he said.
Kelly said she has barely seen her son this summer.
“He’s swimming on two teams, working two different jobs, taking a class and cutting two lawns in our neighborhood,” she said.
Thomas said it’s “pretty cool” being on the All-American list with his mother.
“It kind of shows the effect my family has had on me,” he said. “I can see the legacy being passed down.”
Santoro said he couldn’t be more proud of the group.
“Being able to compete at that level comes with experience,” he said. “Pennsylvania is one of the top states in the country in swimming, and these guys have some of the fastest times between all public and private schools. Some of those schools are known for — and recruit for — swimming. And we’re just a relatively small public school.”