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SPRINGFIELD — Catholic Central High School senior swimmer Brent Hitchcock knew he was ready to drop time — it was only a matter of how much.

Hitchcock finished first and set a meet record in the 1,000-yard freestyle at the National Club Swimming Association's Junior Nationals in Orlando, Fla., on March 18 in a time of 9 minutes, 0.42 seconds.

"The goal was to break it, but I didn't think I would do it by that much," Hitchcock said.

He also won the 400 individual medley March 20 in 4:24.99, more than five seconds underneath the Olympic Trial cut time of 4:30.49.

He'll compete at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., from June 29 through July 6.

"I want the experience," Hitchcock said. "I'm going to go and see what I can do and set my sights on (the 2012 Olympics)."

Hitchcock, who will swim at the University of Southern California next season, shattered the 1,000 free Ohio record (9:06) at the Junior Nationals by six seconds. It's the fastest time in the country this season for all athletes under 18 and earned him a SwimNews.com Top 25 world ranking in the event. Hitchcock's time in the 400 free is also a state record.

Earlier this season, Hitchcock won the state championship in the 500 freestyle in 4:28.42.

He said he was emotionally spent after a long week of swimming in six different events at the Junior Nationals, but he'll get plenty of rest during Catholic Central's spring break this week.

"I had a lot of fun," Hitchcock said. "There is a lot of tough competition. It's always good to race against those kids because it brings out the best in me."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.