Tech swimmer Funk finds groove at perfect time

No one is in a better groove than Johnny Funk.

The Tech senior swimmer, who set a state club record in the 100-yard backstroke last year, will defend his regional and state title in the 100-yard backstroke in hopes of improving the team’s ninth-place finish at the state meet last season.

But that will be the only title he’ll defend.

For two years, Funk was kept out of the 200-yard individual medley rankings at state.

“My sophomore year I tore my (anterior cruciate ligament). I was up for the 200 IM, and I had to scratch it because I couldn’t do the breaststroke,” Funk said. “And then last year I got disqualified, it was kind of iffy, in the 200 IM. They said I didn’t simultaneously touch.”

This season he will scratch the 200 IM in favor of the 100-yard butterfly. It’ll be the first time he’s swam the fly since his freshman year.

“I skipped it for two years because of competition and I wanted to avoid some people,” Funk said. “(Coronado’s) Martin Vanis, he was like the guy, but he graduated last year, so I see my chance.”

But for Funk, it isn’t just a chance to win an event.

“I’m going to try and set the regional record for that; that’s one of my goals,” Funk said.

But those goals are new for the Tech senior, who admitted he was content, two years ago, with being where he was.

Funk is a year-round swimmer and participates in the Summer Junior Nationals, Winter Junior Nationals, NCSA Junior Nationals and Boulder City-Henderson swim team as well as on the Tech swim team.

Participating against the talent from all of those teams, Funk said, helped him elevate his performance.

The first reality check came two seasons ago for Funk during the NCSA Junior Nationals.

“To get the cut, you got to swim pretty fast times, and it was like, 'Wow, I made the cut,’” Funk said. “I saw my time, and I was seeded OK, but I wasn’t seeded where I thought I would be.

“If I wouldn’t have had those reality checks, I’d probably be content with where I am right now. It does broaden your events.”

That drive, Tech swim coach Kim Lighty said, is the reason he will be in the hunt for a state title.

“He’s got a lot of natural talent, and he’s still willing to work really hard,” Lighty said. “He doesn’t let it go to his head. He always tries to do better even though he’s as good as he is.”

But that isn’t what makes him so easy to coach.

“He’s an excellent team member because he’s willing to do what it takes to help the team out such as doing relays and whatever’s necessary to help the team,” Lighty said.

Funk was a member of the Roadrunners’ 200-yard freestyle relay team that took first in the Sunrise Region and was fourth at state.

His desire to help out the team even shaped his decision for college.

Next year Funk will attend Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J., opting for the Broncs instead of the hometown Rebels.

“I spoke to UNLV. I went on a trip there; the team is really good,” Funk said. “I wanted to feel like I was going to contribute to the team.

“It’s a small school, and it’s not that I don’t like Vegas; I just wanted to experience something new.”

But before he gets there, he’ll have to experience something that’s anything but new: competing for another 4A state title.