Yorktown鈥檚 Huske to bring record-setting speed to Stanford in 2021
ARLINGTON, Va. (BVM) — One of the fastest high school swimmers ever, regardless of gender, has made her decision for the next level. Victoria 鈥淭orri鈥� Huske of Yorktown High School and the Arlington Aquatic Center announced in July her decision to continue her swimming career for the Stanford Cardinal upon graduation.聽
鈥淪tanford does a great job at fostering inclusivity and I immediately felt welcomed when I visited,鈥� Huske said. 鈥淚 felt like Stanford had everything I was looking for 鈥� outstanding academics, a team culture which promotes unity, and great teammates. (Stanford director of women鈥檚 swimming) Greg (Meehan) and (associate head coach) Tracy (Slusser) set a great tone for the team that really helps to create a unit full of support. I cannot wait to be a part of the tradition that is Stanford swim and dive.鈥�
The rising senior has become the face of girls prep swimming in Washington, D.C. over the past few years, shattering records while growing her list of achievements.
鈥淚 was never really a prodigy as a young kid,鈥� Huske said. 鈥淚鈥檝e just been constantly improving and getting better. There are a lot of big swimmers in this area and a lot of big names that have been circulating, so I never felt like the attention has been on me. I just felt like I was improving over the years.鈥�
Huske has become a household name of sorts in swimming circles. A record, many times one she already holds, seemingly gets broken every time Huske hits the water. As a freshman at Yorktown, Huske burst onto the scene by becoming one of the most dominant swimmers in the Metropolitan Washington area, winning the Washington Post鈥檚 MET Swimmer of the Year.
As a sophomore in 2019, Huske鈥檚 name became more recognized when she won four events and broke three regional records at the Northern Virginia 6A regionals. At the meet, Huske broke records for the 200-yard individual medley, the 100-yard freestyle and the 200-yard medley relay while also helping Yorktown win the 400-yard free relay.
Although her finishes at regionals put the rest of the field on notice, it was her performance at the 2019 state championships that set off alarm bells across the country. In the 100-yard fly, Huske would finish with a time of 51.29 seconds, breaking the national public school record and the overall high school record for the event.聽
鈥淚 was really excited,鈥� Huske said of the feat. 鈥淢ostly I was just excited I was improving time. I feel like that鈥檚 always my No. 1 goal. (I鈥檓) not necessarily measuring myself as to what records I break, but that I鈥檓 still improving. But overall I was really excited.鈥�
For her accomplishments, Huske was recognized again as the Washington Post鈥檚 MET Swimmer of the Year while also earning herself first team All-MET honors.
Though she was at the top of her game, Huske wasn鈥檛 done as her performances at the NCSA Spring Junior National Championships in Orlando, Fla. garnered the swimmer first place finishes in the 100-yard individual medley (54.20), 100-yard freestyle (48.70), 200-yard freestyle (1:46.66), 50-yard fly (22.96), and 50-yard freestyle (22.36).聽
At the 2019 National Championships that summer, Huske was again a record-breaker. In the 100-yard fly, Huske finished fourth, but her time of 57.80 broke the previous record for the 15-16 age division of 57.93 set by Mary T. Meagher in 1981. With a 10th place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, Huske qualified to swim both the 50 meters and 100m fly and the 100m freestyle in the FINA Junior World Championships in Budapest.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor,鈥� Huske said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always great to represent your country and to feel you鈥檙e representing it well.鈥�
Swimming for Team USA, Huske won individual gold medals in 50m fly (25.70) and the 100m fly (57.71) while also earning a silver medal in the 100m freestyle (54.52). Huske also contributed to gold medal wins for the U.S. in the 400m freestyle relay, the 400m medley relay and the 400m mixed medley relay which the team finished in record-breaking time. Receiving her gold medal with her teammates has been one of the swimmer鈥檚 favorite moments in the sport.
鈥淚 got to stand on the podium while the national anthem played,鈥� Huske said. 鈥淚t was an incredible feeling and I was so proud to stand with my teammates at that moment.鈥�
Huske鈥檚 2020 season has gone much of the same way for the young swimmer. During the Virginia Class 6A state championships, Huske broke state records for the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly with times of 21.83 seconds and 50.69 seconds, respectively. Her finishes helped the junior once again garner first team All-MET honors from the Washington Post.
Huske knows that her success couldn鈥檛 have been achieved without those people around her who have worked to help her reach her goals. From parents to coaches to teammates, Huske had many people she wanted to thank for their help on her journey.
鈥淚鈥檓 so fortunate to have so many people that have helped me along my way,鈥� Huske said. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be where I am today without these encouraging and selfless people. I鈥檓 so thankful for my stroke coaches in the past, people who鈥檝e given me rides, people who helped me gain access to pools, and of course, my teammates. My teammates have pushed me to excel and I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for them and all they鈥檝e done for me.鈥�
While she will have one more year before joining the Cardinal, Huske should fit right in to Stanford women鈥檚 swimming and their winning ways. The Cardinal have won the NCAA Division I national championships each of the past three years (2017, 2018, 2019) while the championships for this year were canceled due to concerns over COVID-19. These championships are not a new trend for Stanford as the program has won a record 11 national championships in their history.
Huske should be able to contribute early and often to the Cardinal. While Stanford has dominated in nearly every event in the pool, they do have a sort of weak spot in what are called the 鈥渟print鈥� swims, Huske鈥檚 specialty. The Cardinal have not had a 100 butterflier break 52 seconds in the event since 2018 and based on her high school times in the event, Huske鈥檚 already close to breaking Stanford鈥檚 program record of 50.38. Huske of course would like to contribute to the team early, but wants to be a good teammate first.
鈥淗opefully I鈥檒l be able to score points for the team and maybe be on a relay if I鈥檓 able to help out,鈥� Huske said. 鈥淚 just want to be a supportive teammate and contribute to the positivity of the team culture.鈥�
While she awaits the beginning of her collegiate career, Huske has her eyes set on another prize, the Olympics. With the Olympic games being delayed until summer 2021, Huske will have an opportunity to earn a spot on Team USA鈥檚 squad. Huske qualified for six events at next summer’s Olympic Trials including the 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, and the 50m freestyle. To be able to even participate in the trials is a big honor for Huske and she understands the significance of the moment.
鈥淚 never really thought it was possible in the past,鈥� Huske said. 鈥淚 feel like for a lot of little kids it’s their dream to go to the Olympics when they鈥檙e little and it was never really my dream because I never thought it was possible. But knowing that it is possible now and that I have even a longshot at going is really incredible.鈥�
Although her Olympic future may not be set in stone yet, Huske鈥檚 collegiate future is. While Stanford hardly needs anymore help in the pool, they certainly won鈥檛 mind adding a record-breaker like Huske. With her skills, Huske can certainly help the Cardinal continue their dominance in the future.
