While most swimmers his age were figuring out high school swimming at the junior varsity level, Crescenta Valley High freshman Young Tae Seo was putting a successful varsity team on his shoulders and draping CIF and Masters Meet medals around his neck.
But then again, Seo didn't arrive at CV as an average youth swimmer.
His reputation as a top-level club swimming standout preceded him and, after playing a central role in his team's Pacific League title and runner-up finish in CIF Southern Section Division II in his first year on the scene, additional notoriety figures to follow him for some time to come.
"He's definitely one of the most talented freshmen that we've had and to have that much of an impact at such a young age is very amazing," Falcons Coach Jan Sakonju says. "To do as well as he did at CIF, again as a ninth-grader, really shows his potential as a competitive high school swimmer."