Derby’s Megan Keil, who will be a senior, has been named an All-American in the 2017 NISCA/Speedo Girls High School Swimming All-America with a time of 22.74 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle. Keil was ranked 16 out of 180 qualifiers across the country.

“I was surprised to hear about it and I’m just really excited,” Keil said. “It’s a great honor to be named as part of this group.”

During her junior year, Keil set the Class 6A 50 free record in 22.74 seconds. She also was the top qualifier in the 100 free with a time of 50.86 seconds. She went on to win both events in Class 6A.

“The state meet has this energy, it’s unlike anything else. It was such a cool experience. It was so loud,” Keil said, “It took lots of practice year round. Swimming is a very demanding sport, but it’s very rewarding seeing your work pay off.”

Keil currently holds the Derby record for the 50 free and the 100 free.

“I’m definitely always trying for my best times,” Keil said.

Every year, graduation and state swimming finals are on the same day. For those graduating, it is a hard choice for them to make deciding which event to attend.

“I’m for sure swimming, but I’m not sure if I’ll be back for high school swim yet,” Keil said. 

Keil skipped the 2015 high school season to compete in regional meets in order try and make the cut for the 50 free in the Olympic Trials. Keil’s time was 22.92 seconds, sixth-hundreds of a second away from qualifying for the U.S Olympic Trials.

“At first it didn’t affect me too much, but after a week or so disappointment started to set in and the rest of my season was just OK,” Keil said, “But there’s always something else to shoot for, and now I can put more focus on other events and just enjoying the sport.”