James Bast stood at the wall and glanced at the time. After all the hours of training, long practices, late nights of homework and years of chasing the moment, he became the first swimmer in Bay Shore history to qualify for the state championships, marking a major achievement for both himself and the school’s swim program.

“When I looked back at the clock and saw a state qualifying time, I was absolutely stoked,” Bast said. “I joined varsity with a goal to go above and beyond and leave a lasting impression on the Bay Shore swim team, and by being the first to make states, I believe I have.”

For Bast, this moment meant more than just one race. He had been working toward this goal since middle school. 

“Personally, this is a goal I’ve been striving to achieve for years now,” Bast said. “It also personally showed me that when I put my mind to something, it’s not impossible.”

During the race that qualified him, Bast stayed engrossed in the details that had gotten him there. He focused on the fundamentals while also pushing through the exhaustion that naturally comes with a high-level race.

“During the 200 free, I was primarily focused on my pacing and breathing,” Bast said. “Although, when I was starting to get tired I looked back on how much work I had put into this moment, the friends from other teams and my teammates cheering me on, and the fact that the race would be over soon and I only had to push a little harder.”

When asked how much work and training went into reaching this point, Bast made it clear that it took a lot.

“Up to this point, I had been going to practice sometimes four hours a day doing double practices,” said Bast.

Bast would go from school to practice in Brentwood, then to Sayville Middle School for club practice. After that, he still had homework and studying to do. He did not reach this point by himself. Bast said his varsity and club coaches helped motivate him, and that his parents, friends and teammates also supported him.

“Both my varsity and club coaches helped motivate me the whole time and never let me start to doubt myself,” Bast said. “I also believe that the persistent encouragement I got from my parents, friends, and teammates made the whole ordeal possible.”

Swimming has taught him lessons outside the pool too. He said it taught him that hard work and consistency matter, even when practice feels tough. It also taught him to stay humble and encourage others rather than put them down.

“One thing it has taught me is that when you give something everything you can give, it will come back to you,” Bast said. “In the moment, practice is brutal and it makes you want to quit, but with effort and consistency, it pays off.”

Bast is now focused on improving even more. He wants to lower his times, train more consistently and go back to states next year. He also hopes to earn honors like All-State, All-Long Island and maybe All-American.

“Going forward, I plan to improve my times, go to more practices or at least four to five days a week, podium finish at states, and get All-State, All-Long island and maybe one day All-American honors,” Bast said.

Bast advises the younger swimmers at Bay Shore to go to as many practices as they can and take care of themselves. He said the extra work makes a big difference over time.

“If I could say one thing to a younger swimmer, it would be to go to as many practices as you can,” Bast said. “It may not seem like it at the moment but over time, the extra time and yardage you get from extra practice really does make a night-and-day difference.”

He has already made school history, and he still has more goals ahead. Bast’s achievement is important for both him and the Bay Shore swim program. Based on this season, he appears far from finished.