Apple Valley's Aaron Olson aims for 4 state swim events

Apple Valley junior Aaron Olson competed in three events in the Class 2A boys' swimming state meet a year ago. He has his sights set on making it four events this season.

A year ago, Olson competed in the 100-yard butterfly and swam a leg on the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay teams in the state event at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. His best finish was 10th with the 200 medley relay squad.

Here is a closer look at Olson:

Q: What is the best movie you've seen in the last year?

A: Either "Oblivion" or "Thor : Dark World."

Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …

A: … "Hourglass" by Zedd (ft. LIZ); "Ghost Assassin" by Maduk (ft. Veela); "White Foxes" by Susanne Sundfor.

A: My texting/messaging app, my camera app and then I have a photo editing app.

Q: Do you follow anybody on Twitter?

A: No, I don't have a Twitter. I can't understand the concept of people "tweeting." How can people tweet? People aren't birds. And "following" other people that "tweet" is just too much. And don't even get me started on the confusion of an octothorpe being called a "hashtag."

Q: Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me.

A: Well, everyone seems to think I'm an anti-social vampire, in a good way, I hope. But three words some people associate with me are intelligent, clever and random.

A: My brother was a swimmer and a soccer player, so he got me started in both. I didn't really like soccer since I had to run (never mind the fact that I usually played defense) and I didn't like basketball, which was the other sport I was in. I was OK with swimming, so I just stuck with that.

Q: What did you work on most in the offseason?

A: Starts, turns, finishes, stroke technique and kicking. I do a lot more in my offseason practices than during my high school ones, but I work just as hard year-round.

Q: What are your goals for the upcoming year?

A: I would like to make it to NCSA (National Club Swimming Association) Junior Nationals. That is a club swim meet, not a high school one. I also want to make four high school state cuts.

A: Well, fairly recently I went outside during practice to get some snow 'cause I was overheating. Apparently, when one has wet feet and goes outside when it's subzero, their feet freeze to the ground very quickly. I was OK, but needless to say I will not be doing that again.

Q: In 10 years, I hope I'm …

A: … a doctor. I'm still trying to decide between being a medical doctor or obtaining a doctorate in a science field. Either way, I'll be through some sort of higher education.

Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?

A: Don't think. Trust yourself and just do it.