By Matt Browning

Take one look at Wichita Independent swimmer Aidan Scott and it would be easy to assume he is a linebacker on the Panthers football team.

“He is absolutely huge,” Independent coach Mitchell Wagner said.

Scott, who was a first team all-state swimmer last season, has devoted countless time and effort in improving his flaws that have held him back from winning a state title in the 50 free or the 100 butterfly.

Last season, he took third in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 fly. He was the school’s first, first team all-state selection since 2011.

“I think winning those events are attainable goals,” Scott said. “But I know it is going to take hard work and dedication to do it. There has been really talented competition the past few years.”

Wagner said Scott’s work ethic is what sets him apart from others he has coached and that Scott has watched his peers throughout his career to understand what it takes to be a state-caliber swimmer.

“He has come a long way since he was a freshman,” Wagner said. “He was barely a state finalist that year.”

Scott spends most of his time during the high school season in the pool. He will practice with his team in the morning, then head back to Wichita Swim Club for an afternoon or evening swim.

He also spends a lot of time in the weight room building up the necessary muscles that his two main events need.

“I have been trying to refine my stroke and technique to become more efficient,” Scott said. “Right now, I am in weights class at school and I work on my upper body.”

Scott has also been a valuable recruiting tool for Wagner’s program, which had just five swimmers three years ago. There has been a steady incline in the Panthers’ numbers while Scott has been at Independent.

“He holds others accountable,” Wagner said. “He is the team captain this year and is always on his teammates to be the best they can be.”

Drury University in Springfield, Missouri is the school Scott chose to continue his swimming career. To him, the decision was pretty easy.

“When I took my official visit, I just loved it,” Scott said. “It is an established program that has multiple Division II championships. All of that drew me in.”