One thing I’d just like to add, it’s really cool to be here at state, getting state times and such but I’d just like to note that maybe if it wasn’t for like the team aspect of it, those guys really make me who I am.”

Park High senior Parker Jeseritz

His two swims at state over, Park High senior Parker Jeseritz chatted with his coaches, then did a quick interview. Then he changed his mind.

He had more to say.

“One thing I’d just like to add, it’s really cool to be here at state, getting state times and such but I’d just like to note that maybe if it wasn’t for like the team aspect of it, those guys really make me who I am,” Jeseritz said after his two state in the 2025 MSHSL Boys AA Swim & Dive Championships Friday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

“And I feel like those are the guys that push me the most, so I feel like at sections I probably did a little bit better just cause I had that team aspect a part of it,” Jeseritz continued. “And those guys really drive me and make me do my best. Even if they’re not here today I’m really thinking about those guys. They pushed me to where I am today.”

Jeseritz finished 20th in the boys 100-yard butterfly in a time of 54.41 and was 30th in the 100-yard backstroke in 54.59. His backstroke time was about a second faster than his qualifying time of 55.42.

“I just told him how proud I am of him,” said Park head coach Will Arnsparger. “Obviously maybe not the best times that he would have wanted. But we couldn’t be more proud of him, me and the other coaches, our team, we were all behind him. I’m glad that he had a lot of fun and got to experience this and that’s what it’s about. Because down the road he’s not going to remember the certain exact times that he went at this meet. He’s going to remember the atmosphere. He’s going to remember what it looked like, felt like too – experience a meet and compete with the best of the best.

“I know he’s headed to Gustavus and they’re going to get a true competitor, they’re going to get someone humble but proud to swim and compete and give it his all,” Arnsparger continued. “He’s going to have so much success and I can’t wait to watch that and see that and hopefully he’ll come around and help out our program someday and either give a talk to the younger guys that we have, share his wisdom because he’s got a lot of it.”

Jeseritz said he was happier with the 100 butterfly than the backstroke.

“It was closer to my previous section times (54.20 in the butterfly and 54.49 in the backstroke). Both of the races I add a little bit but I think it’s just the adrenaline was pumping at sections and today at state I was feeling good but I think my taper may have worn off a little bit,” Jeseritz said. “But my fly felt a lot more smooth than it has been this season. So, I’m really happy with that. Happy to build off that into my club season and into college at Gustavus.”