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Jomar Hidalgo
At the Lancaster-Lebanon League Swim Championships, Lebanon junior Jomar Hidalgo delivered another championship-level performance on one of the biggest stages of the season. Hidalgo captured the league title in the 200 Individual Medley and followed it up with a runner-up finish in the 100-yard backstroke, continuing to solidify himself as one of the area’s premier swimmers. Those performances earned Hidalgo the votes as he was recognized as LebCo Athlete of the Week for the week of February 2nd.
“I won the LL League Swimming Championship in the 200 Individual Medley, and got a runner up finish in the 100 yard Backstroke,” Hidalgo said.
For Hidalgo, that success at Leagues is part of a larger postseason climb that has been building year after year. After medaling at Leagues and Districts as both a freshman and sophomore, he’ll now aim to make his third straight appearance at States. Last season, Hidalgo finished 14th at the PIAA State Championship Meet, and this winter he’s chasing a bigger result — with goals that point directly toward the podium at Bucknell.
“My goals for this season are to make finals for States, and to keep improving my times,” Hidalgo said.
His approach also reflects the bigger picture of the team environment around him. “I fit into the overall goals of the team by just going out there and swim as fast as possible, and to enjoy the process,” he said.
Hidalgo was also quick to thank the people who have helped shape his development through a demanding journey that has required extra commitment. “I would like to thank my family, all the coaches I had over the years, and my Lebanon YMCA and Lancaster Aquatic Club teammates for pushing me everyday for the person I have become,” he said.
His list of past accomplishments is extensive, including earning the Junior Olympic High Point Trophy, breaking a Junior Olympic record, and setting 3 YMCA state records — including records that were 41 years and 35 years old at the time. He also became the first Lebanon High School freshman to ever qualify for the PIAA State Swimming Championships, a milestone that speaks to both talent and consistency.
Hidalgo also shared the behind-the-scenes challenge that has shaped his path: the amount of time and travel required to pursue high-level training. With no pool at Lebanon High School, he has routinely made trips to train in Lancaster and York — roughly 45 minutes and 1 hour and 15 minutes away — while also managing the mental and physical grind that comes with staying at the top in a sport where confidence and focus can make or break a race.
Looking ahead, Hidalgo’s long-term goals are big. He hopes to swim collegiately at the Division I level and make Olympic Trials one day.
Athletics run in the family as well. His brother, Carlos Hidalgo, placed 2nd and 3rd at the 2023 PIAA State Swimming Championships in the 50 and 100 freestyle, while his sister, Carla Hidalgo, was also a district-level swimmer. Carlos is currently a junior at St. Bonaventure, competing alongside fellow Lebanon alum Will Parker.
When he isn’t training, Hidalgo keeps his focus where it needs to be — recovery and school. “I focus on my recovery (like getting a good sleep), so I can perform my best the next day,” he said. “Or doing school work to keep my grades as high as I can make them.”
And one fun fact that fits his quick-twitch, high-precision mindset: he’s solved a Rubik’s Cube three times in under five seconds.
What he enjoys most about sports is simple — and telling. “I enjoy being competitive and racing because that allows me to try my best,” Hidalgo said. “In doing that, I try not to lose and become the better swimmer that I can become.”
Congratulations to Jomar Hidalgo on being named LebCo Athlete of the Week, and best of luck in the postseason as his journey continues with the District 3 Championships, which will commence on February 27th.
Photos by the Hidalgo Family
Swimming: Gladysz, Cummings Lead Palmyra’s Medal Haul at Mid Penn Championships
LebCo Female Athlete of the Week: McKenna Kantner
Past Winners
Josiah Hayes (Week ending 2/2)
Nick Weidman (Week ending 1/25)
Grayden Summers (Week ending 1/18)
Jemar Pauleus (Week ending 1/11)
Austin Smith (Holidays)
Braden Demler (Week ending 12/21)
Oliver Funck (Week ending 12/14)
Ben Rhine (Week ending 12/7)
ProSeal
Penn Realty
