It’s been quite a progression for Renton senior Adriel Paine. When he joined the Indians swim team as a sophomore, he had almost no experience.

“Well, he could float, he didn’t drown, and he could go forward,” said Renton coach Diane Pavelin.

Since then the progress has been impressive. Paine made state on two of Renton’s relays last year.

“It was really good,” Paine said. “I looked around, there were people everywhere, team flags all over the walls. Man, it was pretty cool.”

Much of Paine getting better simply had to do with time in the pool.

“He came in a lot more comfortable,” Pavelin said. “He just knew how to do everything and that’s when we really started to see improvement.”

His time in the 50 free has gone from over 30 seconds as a sophomore to about 25 seconds this year.

And he’s not limited to the pool. Paine was a key part of Renton’s state-championship track and field team last spring. He placed fifth in the 800 eighth in the 4 X 400 relay.

He also made the state meet in cross country earlier this season, where he finished 65th.

“Of the three track is my favorite because I feel like I have the most potential in track,” he said. “But I definitely love the team atmosphere in cross country and swimming.”

Depending on how the upcoming track season goes, Paine is hoping to earn a scholarship. He’s interested in becoming a photojournalist.