Student-athlete is a term that's often written off or overlooked.

Fans of sport sometimes forget that these athletes must meet certain academic credentials to compete. Harris Nagle reminds everyone how important sports and academics are to be used in unison.

"The hard work that you put into swimming helps in your school work as well," Nagle said. "I think swimming is a sport that adds balance to your whole life in general."

The senior captain has brought a positive attitude, and some winning times, to the Parkland program. Nagle was not always groomed to be a Trojan. His family moved to the area when he was in the fifth grade, and he quickly joined the Parkland Aquatic Club family.

"They mean a lot to me," said Nagle. "I made a lot of friends, and I've gotten a lot better since coming here. That has a lot to do with my coaches and teammates pushing me every day."

Nagle began swimming at the young age of seven in New Jersey. Upon arriving in the Lehigh Valley, Nagle joined Westwood Heights swim club the summer before fifth grade, and then joined PAC that winter.

Success has come early for Nagle. He is the only boy swimmer on the current team that has qualified for the state meet as a freshman, sophomore and junior. As a freshman, Nagle made it in the 100 breaststroke, sophomore year was the 200 IM and 200 medley relay, and junior year he qualified for the 200 medley relay and 100 breaststroke.

"I think my freshman year I didn't have a lot of pressure because I just wanted to go out and see what I could do," said Nagle. "I just really tried hard to make it to states because it is such a fun experience. And I was lucky to be able to qualify each year."

Head coach Rob Robitaille has used Nagle in a variety of events, which has shown his versatility as a swimmer.

"As far as consistent training in the pool and showing the other boys what that means, he's been the lead example," Robitaille said on Nagle. "You need to have someone go out every day and give a positive example, and he does that. It wears off on all of the other team. It's just great for the team."

He has won many events, and swam in many different meets, but narrowing down one of his most memorable moments at Parkland did not take Nagle too long to respond.

"Winning the 200 medley relay my sophomore year at districts," Nagle said. "That same week our backstroke swimmer got hurt, so we had to switch around some people which made it even harder."

With all of the accolades it was no wonder colleges were vying for his services for the next four years of his career. Nagle has narrowed his choices down to four: Loyola (MD), Temple, Marist and West Chester. He has visited all four, but took an official recruiting trip to only Loyola.