Fuqua School senior Thomas Watson will represent his school on Friday and Saturday at the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association State Swimming and Diving Championship, which will be held at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center.

Watson will compete in the 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle events at the state competition.

Watson began swimming at age 4 at the Southside Virginia Family YMCA. As he grew, he began to hone in on his skills and became the fastest swimmer on the high school team.

“His real distinction is that he is the fastest swimmer ever at Fuqua School,” said his father, Brad. “(He’s) a real underground success.”

Watson currently holds five individual school swim records, and is a part of two team school records. He holds his individual records in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley. Watson’s team records are in the 200-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard medley relay.

Watson is the son of Brad and Virginia Watson, of Prince Edward.