Nelson's Drew Eubanks could become the first four-time breaststroke champion in the big-school classification in 51 years.

As the calendar moves toward the new year, Nelson senior swimmer Drew Eubanks can reflect fondly on his feats in 2025.

In February, he set an OSAA meet record in winning his third 6A title in the 100-yard breaststroke. In June, he made the USA Junior World Team with his performance at the USA Swimming national championships, and two months later, at the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Romania, he won a silver medal on a mixed medley relay.

“It was an atmosphere like I've never seen. It was crazy,” Eubanks said of the world meet.

Eubanks' training was validated this month when he set personal bests in all three of his events at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships West meet in Austin, Texas, setting him up for a promising 2026. He is looking to go out with a bang in the 6A meet before starting his college career at Tennessee.

“Once I get to Knoxville, it's going to be 'go-time,'” said Eubanks, who trains year-round with The Dolphins Portland Swimming.

Eubanks swam the 100 breaststroke in 52.98 seconds in the 6A meet last season. He lowered that time to 52.84 in November and 52.69 this month.

At this rate, he could threaten the state's all-time record of 51.72, set last year by Caldera's Campbell McKean, now a freshman on the team at Texas.

“I believe I can get down under 52 at the end of the season,” Eubanks said. “I think I could've gotten a lot closer to it at this last meet, I just had poor execution in the finals. If I clean up my race and have a better mindset going into behind the blocks, I think I can get close to that 51.7.”

Improving on the OSAA meet record is a primary focus for him. He also could become the first boy to win four 100 breaststroke state titles in the big-school classification since Doug Ainslie of David Douglas (1971-75).

“I'd like to take down the record again, make it a little faster,” he said. “Hopefully, it'll last longer. What I've kind of hoped since my freshman year is just a four-peat in the 100 breast. I believe I'll do that, for sure, which is exciting.”

His performances in the Winter Junior Championships – where he set personal bests in the 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke (1:54.77) and 200 individual medley (1:49.96) – has helped propel him forward. He won the 200 breaststroke and was runner-up in the 100 breaststroke.

“The first part of the short-course season always aims toward Juniors, so I was definitely looking for some PRs,” he said. “But during the 100 and 200 breast finals, I was just thinking, 'Hand on the wall first.' I have a lot more I can improve on, but I'm proud with how I did. I'm glad to be able to come home with a win in the 200 breast.”

Eubanks placed 42nd in the 200 IM, finishing ahead of Sunset senior Luca Ignatescu (65th-1:50.98), the reigning 6A champion in the event. Eubanks, state runner-up to Ignatescu by 1.42 seconds last season, is looking to push for a 200 IM title this season.

“It was a pretty close race last year. I think it's going to be even closer and more fun this year,” Eubanks said.

In the 6A meet, Eubanks has dropped his 100 breaststroke times from 57.00 as a freshman to 55.56 and 52.98 the last two years. As he fine-tunes his technique, it's getting harder to make big jumps.

“It's all about finding those little details,” he said. “Like the walls, cleaning up, making sure I don't take too long going in. Stuff like that is where it's going to be a real game-changer come state.”

It was a big summer for Eubanks. He started it off at the national championships in Indianapolis, where he set personal bests in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:00.79) and 200-meter breaststroke (2:12.85), finishing ninth and 10th, respectively. Winning the B final in the 100 breaststroke was a thrill.

“That was one of the best races I've had,” he said. “I took the field out and I held on. I touched the wall first and I got to see myself on the big screen. Everyone was cheering. It was super fun. I think that all taught me, even though it's the big moment, to still remember why I swim. I swim because it's fun.”

In that meet, he earned a spot on the USA Junior World Team in the 200-meter breaststroke. He didn't perform at his best in the World Aquatics Junior Championships in Romania, but gained from the overall experience of international competition.

“It was this huge venue. All the best swimmers from every country in the world were there,” he said. “I got to meet a bunch of people.

“The team was super close. We were cheering each other. We were being the rowdy Americans in the stands. It was great. I loved it.”