Johnny Crush is Kentucky's top boys swimmer. Here's why he's continuing his career at Army
Johnny Crush, the top high school boys swimmer in Kentucky, had his pick of college programs from which to choose.
The St. Xavier High School senior could have selected Auburn, where his parents, Chip and Mimi, first met and were All-American swimmers in the 1990s. The Tigers are ranked No. 10 in the nation.
He could have picked Louisville, where his brother, Charlie, is a sophomore member of the swim team. The Cardinals are ranked No. 14 in the nation.
But Johnny Crush is headed to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York. You likely know it as Army, which has a swim program that doesn’t feature a top-25 national ranking and hasn’t won a league championship in more than two decades.
Crush’s commitment to Army last summer shocked the national swimming community and even had his family asking questions.
“I was kind of hesitant because I was assuming he was going to throw his swimming career away — even if it was in pursuit of something far better,” Mimi Crush said. “We’re very proud of him, and no way were we ever wanting him to sacrifice that desire for his swimming. …
“But it is unique. It was a hard decision for us to come to terms with, but it really wasn’t a hard decision for him.”
Johnny Crush seeks more KHSAA state championships
Johnny Crush will wrap up his St. X career Friday during the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s State Championships at the University of Kentucky’s Lancaster Aquatic Center in Lexington. Preliminaries will start at 10:30 a.m., and finals are set to start at 6 p.m.
Crush is the top seed in the 100-yard freestyle and 100 backstroke. He set the State Championships record in the 100 backstroke last year with a time of 46.55 seconds and will look to improve on that as the Tigers chase their 36th straight state championship.
“It’s kind of sad, honestly,” Crush said. “I’ve had so much fun, and it’s an honor to swim at St. X. I just want to give my all my last high school meet and bring home another state championship.”
Crush’s college choice likely will be discussed as much as his times at Friday’s championships.
The third of four children — all swimmers — in the Crush family, Johnny said he’s known from a young age that he wanted to join the military.
“I think serving your country is the best thing someone can do,” he said. “Even from a young age, I felt like that was my calling. People are always saying, ‘The military lifestyle is going to stink. You get to do nothing fun.’ That’s what interests me about it. It’s the same thing over and over again. I love routine. Routine is where I thrive.”
Johnny knew he wanted to join an ROTC program in college but became increasingly aware that combining that with the rigors of swimming would be too much.
His father, Chip, suggested a military academy.
“I went on my visit in October of 2022 and absolutely fell in love with the place,” Johnny Crush said. “The passion of the swim team, they really do care for each other. I loved everything about it.”
After U.S. Olympic Trials, basic training awaits
When Crush committed to Army last summer, his coaches were a bit surprised but not shocked. Crush’s personal-best time in the 100 backstroke — 45.56 seconds — would be a school record at Army. The Black Knights haven’t won a Patriot League championship since 2001.
“He’s Army’s highest recruit that they’ve ever had in their program, so it is a unique situation,” St. X coach Todd Larkin said. “But I think Johnny sees the big picture, and that’s very rare for a high school student. He’s an authentic leader, and he’s chosen a path where he can really maximize that leadership.
“A lot of swimmers are thinking, ‘How many points can I score in my conference championship meet?’ He’s looking beyond that.”
Mimi Crush and Mike DeBoor, head coach with the Lakeside Swim Team, said the choice was consistent with Johnny’s personality of not seeking the spotlight.
“I honestly think he doesn’t realize how good he could be,” DeBoor said. “I don’t think he holds himself in the same light as some of those other elite junior kids. … If I stood eight of them up there and he has the fastest time, he might not think he should win. He’s humble. He doesn’t walk around acting like he’s the best one.”
Crush will find out just how good he is in June when he participates in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis. He’s already qualified in the 100 backstroke and needs to cut just a fraction of a second to qualify in the 100 freestyle.
A week after the Trials, Johnny will head to basic training at West Point. Army graduates are required to serve eight years — at least five active — following graduation, but Johnny said he plans to serve at least 20 years.
“I think the idea of jumping out of airplanes versus sitting behind a desk … I’m not surprised that’s what Johnny wants to do,” Mimi Crush said. “He likes to move, and couple that with the desire to take care and protect, it’s not surprising the choice he made.”
More high school sports: Fern Creek's Gabby Wilson caps wrestling career with first KHSAA title but fourth in row
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA swimming: Why Johnny Crush decided to continue career at Army
