Male Spotlight Athlete of the Week Aiden Culp
Mar. 4—Name: Aiden Culp
School: Richland
Age: 18
Grade: 12
Sports: Swimming and tennis
Parents: Robert and Jennifer Culp, of Richland
Athletic achievements: In swimming, team captain, three-time Central Western Alleghenies Aqua Conference first-team selection, 2024 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference 100-yard backstroke champion, eight-time District 6 medalist, 2024 District 6 Class 2A 100 backstroke and 400 free relay champions (with Caleb Coward, Ben Rzasa and Spencer Kovalsky), PIAA qualifier, six-time Pennsylvania West YMCA district qualifier and two-time Pennsylvania YMCA state qualifier.
Coach's quote: "It has been an honor to coach Aiden the past four years. His grit and determination to be the best has shaped him into the swimmer he is today. Aiden is a smart swimmer. His focus on the small details has allowed him to perform at the highest level. Aiden is a very humble young man who is always there to celebrate both the large and small victories with his teammates. He is always there to cheer them on and knows the value of being a team player. He has grown not only as a swimmer, but also as a young man, and I could not be more proud of him." — Richland swimming coach Maria Baroni
Favorite subject: Physics
Favorite movie: "Ocean's Eleven"
Favorite video game: "Red Dead Redemption"
Favorite food: Burgers
Favorite teacher (subject taught): Mr. Spangler (wood shop)
Favorite song: "Stagefright" by Def Leppard
Favorite app on your phone: Instagram
Outside interests: Video games and computer building
If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?: I would be a cheetah because they can run really fast.
Favorite athletic team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Athlete most admired: Former United States Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps
Most influential person on my athletic career: Denny Hartnett, who is the head coach at Menoher Swim Club and an assistant coach for the Greater Johnstown YMCA swim team
Most impressive athlete that you have competed against: Conemaugh Township sophomore swimmer Aidan Burnworth
Proudest athletic achievement: Winning 2024 District 6 Class 2A titles in the 100 backstroke and 400 free relay
How I got my start: Competing on the Menoher Swim Club in 2018
Swim at the collegiate level and pursue a degree in computer engineering — Jake Oswalt
