KENTWOOD -- East Kentwood boys swimming coach Jock Ambrose has a lot of talented swimmers this season, and this includes senior captain Liam Faber.

“He’s close to the state cuts in both the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke,” Ambrose said. “His best event is the 100 breaststroke. He’s been 1:03.0. His best in the 200 IM has been 2:06.28.”

It’s easy for Ambrose to explain the reason behind Faber’s success.

“He’s gotten as much out of his talent as he possibly can,” Ambrose said. “He’s very dedicated to making sure he’s well-prepared, whether that be athletics or academics.

“He didn’t start swimming until he was a ninth-grader. Every year, he’s shown continual improvement because he’s willing to work in preparing himself.”

Ambrose is expecting plenty from Faber before the season ends.

“I think he’s able to make the state cut and should be a little under a minute in the breaststroke,” Ambrose said. “We’re hoping he can get close to or make the 200 IM. He certainly will swim one relay, assuming we could get to the state meet, and he could swim as many as three.

“Liam’s biggest thing has been his work ethic, the willingness to prepare and do what he needs to. He’s has been a tremendous leader. There’s only one other young man who has been a senior swimmer. We have a couple of exchange students. But Liam is my senior class, basically, along with one other classmate. He’s been a fantastic leader for us as a captain.”

Faber has also been exceeding in the classroom.

“He’s right about 4.0 for GPA. He’s been all-academic at East Kentwood all three years so far. He’s been accepted to Michigan State honors college and is also waiting on potential acceptance to Michigan and Notre Dame. He has some good academic offers.”

Faber was also captain of the East Kentwood water polo team in the fall.