That one family decision, made when James Feigen was just five years old, ended up charting the course for a swimming career that snagged Olympic medals, set national records, and is now landing him in the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame. His parents had a choice: move to Austin or San Antonio. They packed up for the Alamo City, totally unaware they were about to unleash an athletic legend on the world stage.
One Move, Endless Opportunities
Dude, you gotta hear this: Feigen’s parents chose San Antonio because of its “family-oriented atmosphere.” And honestly, that choice “made all the difference” for him. It’s wild to think one move can kickstart an entire Hall of Fame trajectory, but for Feigen, San Antonio became his springboard. He credits the city for providing “the opportunities, and not just the opportunities in terms of in the water, but the coaching staff, the support staff, the high school programs, the club programs.” He said there were “so many different avenues to gain experience and to gain the opportunity for success” that it “catapulted” his career. He’s got fond memories of chilling outside the Blossom Athletic Center as a kid and tearing it up at meets in the Josh Davis Natatorium. Speaking of Josh Davis, the guy who won three gold medals at the 1996 Olympics? He actually became Feigen’s mentor. How cool is that?
From High School Records to Olympic Gold
Feigen got thrown into the spotlight at Churchill High, and he absolutely lit it up. As a senior in 2008, he set national records in the 50-yard freestyle (19.49 seconds) and the 100-yard freestyle (43.05 seconds). That’s insane speed! He bagged multiple UIL 5A state titles for the Chargers and was named Swimming World Magazine’s National Boys’ High School Swimmer of the Year. His high school coach, Al Marks, even got into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame himself back in 2011. Feigen remembers that high school sports in San Antonio felt like they “got a lot of attention,” and he was doing interviews at 17, 18 years old for a sport that usually doesn’t get much press. That early taste of the spotlight “really gave me the yearning to go on and keep creating these accomplishments that were newsworthy.” After high school, Feigen went to the University of Texas and kept that fire burning, winning three national championships in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and the 400 freestyle relay. He was the Big 12’s swimmer of the year a ridiculous *four years in a row*. His career on the U.S. National Team from 2009 to 2016 took him worldwide, including back-to-back Olympic appearances in 2012 and 2016, where he proudly earned a silver and a gold medal.
This Saturday, Feigen gets formally recognized at the Convention Center, taking his rightful place among the city’s most influential sports figures. It’s a huge moment, cementing a legacy that started with one simple family choice and exploded into international glory.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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