by Chris Hunt

Last summer, Peter Brumm made a difficult decision to transfer from Lake Norman Charter – where he won two Class 1A/2A state swimming titles as a sophomore – to Hough High School. Back then, Brumm was excited about joining the Huskies’ first-year program so he could test his abilities against some of the top 4A swimmers in the state.

Almost a year later, it appears Brumm made a wise choice.

Brumm quickly established himself as a leader on a team that included top-tier talent that previously competed for 4A programs North Mecklenburg and Hopewell. This winter Brumm helped the Huskies capture their first league title, contributing to victories in the I-MECK 4A conference’s 200-yard medley relay, 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle events.

During the state meet, Brumm shaved more than three seconds off his conference-best time in the 200 freestyle and 4 seconds from his 100 butterfly effort, claiming All-American times in both events. He finished second in the 200 freestyle to Providence’s highly regarded Kip Darmody, a University of Texas recruit, but Brumm’s time in the 100 butterfly secured Hough’s first individual state title – in any sport.

It also earned Brumm Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group’s 2010-11 Lake Norman-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year honors.

“Winning the school’s first (individual) state title was pretty cool,” said Brumm. “I would have liked the team to win as well, but finishing fifth as a team was pretty big for the school. (Both the individual state title and the program’s top-five finish) are kind of a good basis for a first-year school to build on. I hope I’m the first of many to win a state title.”

This wasn’t the first time Brumm made history at a high school. He also captured Lake Norman Charter’s first state championship at the 1A/2A level. It would be tough to find another athlete who could brag about winning state titles at two schools, let alone the first in both schools’ athletic history.

“Both of the state championships are pretty awesome,” said Brumm. “I went to Lake Norman Charter since fifth grade, so the first one was a big deal. People were really pumped about it, and I gained a lot of confidence from it, but it wasn’t much different from Hough, school-wise. The times at states with Hough were significant because I got my All-American times, which was a goal of mine. I felt I swam better this year.”

And to think, Brumm still has his senior season left to improve on his times. That could be downright scary for his competition.