All-Area Boys’ Swimmer of the Year: Glendale’s Julian wins titles for school, city
Though he admits he doesn’t have a nickname, Glendale High junior Trenton Julian is fast becoming “Mr. Glendale.”
The 17 year old doesn’t just wear his Nitros gear to league meets and around town, but he’s also represented the city in elite competition.
“I remember when he qualified to the U.S. Trials and he was wearing his Glendale High jacket,” said Glendale swim Coach Carol Driffill. “It was a big moment for him for sure, but also for this school and for this community. He really represents Glendale.”
This past season, Julian made a name for himself outside the Jewel City as he captured multiple Pacific League titles, a pair of CIF Southern Section Division II championships and became the city’s first representative at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 16 years.
For those efforts, Julian was voted the 2016 All-Area Boys’ Swimmer of the Year by the sportswriters of the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun.
This is the second straight honor for Julian.
“It’s always cool being recognized for what I do,” Julian said. “Its nice representing the school I’m going to. I want to represent Glendale and I’m proud to do it.”
The biggest moment in Julian’s young career took place at the U.S Olympic Swimming Team Trials in Omaha, Neb., which ran from June 26 to July 3. The meet served as the nation’s only qualifier to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
According to Glendale High athletic director Pat Lancaster, Julian was the city’s first representative to the trials since 2000 when Glendale High alumnus Scott Greenwood, then a member of the California Berkeley swim team, competed inthe 50-meter and 100-freestyle events.
“When we learned that Trenton qualified for the Olympic Trials, I had to go see him,” said Lancaster, who was part of a Glendale contingent that traveled to the Midwest to watch their native son. “To me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime proposition.
“We haven’t had a current Glendale High School swimmer make the Olympic Trials when he or she was in high school. Sure, we’ve had Glendale High and Hoover High graduates go on later when they were in college, but Trenton is a special kid and we had to go see him compete.”
Julian’s experience at the U.S. Trials was a mixed bag.
On one hand, Julian tested his mettle against legends such as Michael Phelps. On the other hand, the results were not as he hoped for.
Julian qualified in the 100-meter and 200 butterfly, but only competed in the long race because of an injury to his shoulder.
On June 28, Julian finished 71st in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2 minutes, 04.16 seconds.
“I think the biggest thing that I took away is knowing that I can compete at that level and not have nerves,” Julian said. “I can go into any competition and be ready.”
Like Julian, Lancaster saw more positives than negatives at Omaha.
“There’s a certain maturity that you have to respect,” Lancaster said. “I’m sure Trenton wasn’t happy with his final result, but he also knew just how difficult and incredible it was to get back to that stage. I’m sure that’s not the last of him at the trials.”
En route to reaching the trials, Julian enjoyed a dominant 2016 season that began with the Pacific League Finals on May 5.
At Burbank High, Julian was a two-time individual champion and swam in relay events for the Nitros.
Julian set the Pacific League record in capturing the 200-yard IM with a mark of 1:49.80, while he also won the grueling 500 freestyle in a personal-best time of 4:30.82.
“When you get to league, it’s all about scoring points and helping your team as much as possible,” said Julian, whose Nitros finished fourth in the Pacific League with 205 points. “I do whatever is asked of me and try to help.”
As for relays, he swam the second leg of the runner-up 200 medley relay (1:40.67) and was anchor for the fourth-place 400 freestyle relay squad (3:24.83).
“In many ways, Trenton is the ultimate team player,” Driffill said. “He could very easily swim in the events he’s best suited for, but he helps the team by competing in events that aren’t necessarily his favorites. We’ve come to respect him for that.”
Following the league finals, Julian and the Nitros advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division II preliminaries and championships at Riverside Community College on May 13 and 14.
Julian was involved in three events at Friday’s preliminaries, with his Nitros’ 200 medley relay squad of he, Jayson Wilia, Anthony Ovespyan and Chris Zargarian placing 21st in the division with a mark of 1:40.22.
Though the squad did not merit qualification to the finals, Julian advanced in the 200 freestyle (1:39.55) and 100 butterfly (49.08), earning the top seed in both.
A year earlier, Julian etched his name into Glendale lore by winning the 100 butterfly in 49:39. In claiming a title, he became his school’s first division champion in 44 years.
With that experience under his belt and a year’s worth of progress, Julian doubled his championship haul in 2016. He captured the 100 butterfly in a time of 47.88 and the 200 freestyle in 1:36.21. Both marks earned All-American consideration time.
“It was a different experience for me this year around,” Julian said. “I felt like I was one of the big names. I’ve always looked up to people and I was usually in the middle. That day, I was in front. My school was in front.”
While Julian is one in a long line of dynamic products from the nearby Rose Bowl Aquatics program, he also understands the perhaps heavier responsibility of representing his school and his city.
“To win for Glendale is special,” Julian said. “I try to do my best always.”
With a year left at Glendale and an endless horizon ahead of him beyond, Julian will have his growing group of followers and well-wishers looking for what’s in store.
“We’re all witnesses to history,” Lancaster said. “He has a whole community who’s proud of him and it’s not just because he swims fast. He’s a hard worker and a winner, but he’s humble and mature. I guess what stands out most is that embodies the best of us. He represents Glendale well.”
