Bishop Hendricken swimming coach Dave Hanson said last year that Max Miranda, as a sophomore, was already the best swimmer he has coached in decades in his line of work. 

Miranda has not lost that mantle during his junior year while he continued to shatter records. Miranda now owns the Rhode Island state record in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle, and he was a member of the 400 free relay that set a new benchmark.

“He’s just so versatile,” Hanson said. “I have to call it the ‘it’ factor.’ He’s got that internal drive. In the state championship in the 100 butterfly, he was dead even with the kid from Classical, and out of the corner of his eye Max caught him and buried his head. He refuses to lose.”

Despite the staggering amount of accolades Miranda continues to amass, Hanson is most impressed with his team-first mentality. 

“It’s just phenomenal what he’s done, but the important thing is it’s not about him,” Hanson said. “His philosophy is ‘Coach, what do you need me to do to help the team?’ He could easily be the best swimmer in any event I put him in, but he’s willing to swim whatever to make our team better.”

As far as what improvements the also All-State Boys’ Swimmer of the Year could make in his senior season, Hanson said the 100 freestyle record is still in sight.

Beyond that, Miranda can also take to lowering his own record marks as well.

-J.M.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Dave Hanson, Hendricken

ALL CITY TEAM

Marc Andrews, Hendricken

Dillane Wehbe, Hendricken

Alex Vessella, Hendricken

Brendan Crowe, Hendricken

Mike Ryan, Hendricken

Lucas Stencel, Hendricken

Owen Schriber, Hendricken

Gabe Ibarra, Hendricken

Connor Levine, Hendricken