Heights High Swim Teams Earn National Academic Achievements

Heights High School’s swim teams have had enormous success in the pool this year, from winning records to an undefeated season.

But the hard work does not end at the pool’s edge as both the boys’ and girls’ teams have received accolades from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) for their academic achievement. Remy Bourbeau, Claire Bunce, Nolan Fluharty, Milo Goldmark, Jack Morehouse, Mitchell Reinhardt, Casey Roufs and Ella Watterson were named Academic All-Americans, an honor bestowed to graduating seniors who meet rigid academic and athletic criteria.

The varsity programs were also named  All-American Scholar Teams for their combined GPAs. The girls’ team was placed in the Gold Tier, meaning they are at the very highest level across the country. The boys’ team was placed in the Silver Tier, which represent the second highest combined GPA nationwide.

This has been a repeat honor as both teams have been recognized as All-American Scholar Teams for the last five years. But this year’s accolades are even more impressive for the largest team Heights High has had in the last ten years, which included a big turnout in new swimmers and a large freshman class.

“We graduated an incredibly talented group of seniors last year and we were expecting this to be somewhat of a ‘rebuilding’ year with a much younger team,” said Coach Dan Budin, “but they surpassed expectations and rose to the occasion.”

Other accolades for the Heights High swimmers include Jack Morehouse being the Greater Cleveland Conference (GCC) champion and Sectional champion in the 100 Yard Breaststroke while achieving some of the fastest times in school history. As well as twelve swimmers qualifying for Districts, which is the most in at least the last 20 years.

But these individual accomplishments are not just limited to the pool. Remy Bourbeau is a recipient of a National Merit Scholarship, Milo Goldmark is the Heights High Class of 2025 Valedictorian, and many of the team members are similarly successful academically.

“Being a student-athlete is one of the most challenging paths a high schooler can take,” said Elena Rinaldi, a Class of 2020 alumna who now teaches in the District and coaches the high school and youth swim teams. As a member of the team and recipient of the same academic awards when she was a student at Heights High and continued to receive academic recognition as a collegiate swimmer, she completely understands the hard work, dedication, and perseverance it takes to be a successful student-athlete. 

“Balancing academic responsibilities with daily practices – and often spending entire afternoons or weekends at meets – requires exceptional commitment and discipline,” she explains. “It’s a demanding journey, and these students have surpassed every expectation.”

Coaches Budin and Rinaldi are immensely proud of the work their swimmers put in, both in and out of the water and look forward to what the teams will accomplish in the upcoming school year. 

“They encourage each other through their competitive nature as well as out of concern for eligibility and desire for overall academic strength,” said Coach Budin. “We know that grades don’t tell the whole story, and that everyone has different factors in their lives, but we’re proud of how the team works to represent our community throughout their engagement in learning as well as athletics.”