Freedom High School swimmer, Sam Magnan, took first place in the 1500 free at Junior Nationals this past summer in Irvine, Calif.

Magnan, who represented Parkland Aquatic Club, qualified for Nationals, which are scheduled for next summer, and the 2016 Olympic Trials, which will take place in Omaha.

"I felt relieved that all my hard work paid off," Magnan said. "The kid who ended up getting third, we were racing the whole time. I tried to make a move at 300. I stayed up with him and pulled it out in the last 100. It was exciting. I didn't think I was going as fast as I was."

Ironically, Magnan had not been seeded in any of his events, including the 400 free and the 800 free, taking fourth place in both.

In the 1500, Magnan swam in the earlier heat, completing the 30 laps in 15:20.56. Later, the top eight seeds swam in finals, attempting to beat Magnan's time.

"I didn't watch 80-percent of the race. Then my coach [Ryan Woodruff] told me to come watch," Magnan said.

What Magnan saw was the top of the podium in his immediate future because no one could beat his time.

"I went nuts. I went crazy," he said.

Magnan's time in the 400 was 3:55 and in the 800 was 8:05.