The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association has named six members of the Mercer Island High men’s swim team as 2018-2019 high school All-Americans based on their performance at the 3A state championship meet. They are Alex Edwards, Jake Headrick, James Richardson, Killian Riley, Justin (Nate) Robinson and Ethan Schwartz.

Richardson was named as a five-time All-American for his swims in the 100 fly, 100 back and 100 free, as well as for his swims as a member of the All-American 200 medley relay team and the All-American 400 free relay team. He set state meet records in the 100 back (48.43) and the 100 fly (48.55), while his 100 free lead-off leg in the 400 free relay was the third fastest time in meet history. He was previously named as a 2017-2018 All-American in the 100 back.

Edwards was named as a two-time All-American as a member of the 200 medley relay team (1:33.38) and the 400 free relay team (3:06.62). Headrick and Robinson were named as the two other members of the 200 medley relay, while Riley and Schwartz were named as members of the 400 free relay.

The two relay swims, as well as Richardson’s swims in the 100 back and the 100 fly, set Mercer Island High records.

Headrick and Schwartz will be Mercer Island High seniors this season and Edwards will attend Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania as a junior this fall. Robinson, Richardson and Riley graduated in 2019.

Richardson will head to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts, where he plans to swim. Riley will attend St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and likewise plans to be a collegiate swimmer. Robinson is enrolled at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver and is presently undecided whether he will swim or play water polo.

Members of the record-setting Mercer Island High 2018-2019 high school All-American 400 free relay: Left to right, Alex Edwards, Ethan Schwartz, Killian Riley and James Richardson. Photo courtesy of Scott Richardson