Cedar Rapids Washington junior Jared Thorson is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award this week for high school boys, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Thorson is one of the top swimmers in Iowa and ranks in the top-5 in the state in four different events. He ranks second in the 100 butterfly and fifth in the 50 freestyle as an individual, and he ranks first in the 200 medley relay and fourth in the 200 freestyle relay with his teammates.

Thorson placed in four events at the state swimming meet last year. He was fourth in the 100 butterfly, fourth in the 200 medley relay, fourth in the 400 freestyle relay and seventh in the 200 freestyle relay.

Here is our Question-And-Answer session with Jared Thorson:

MSR: What is your favorite individual highlight in sports?

JARED: I have two favorite individual highlights. One individual highlight was when I got to travel to Greensboro, N.C. for YMCA Nationals. The second was when I broke the Washington frosh-soph 100 fly record at districts in Iowa City last year.

MSR: What is your favorite team highlight in sports?

JARED: One was when I was on the sophomore football team and we won our last game of the season and finished as sophomore conference champions. The other was when I bleached my hair with my teammates freshman and sophomore years for swimming.

MSR: What are your future goals in sports?

JARED: A goal I have for high school is to break the varsity 100 fly school record at Washington. Another goal I have is to swim in college.

MSR: Who has had the biggest influence on your sports career?

JARED: My brother, Jody, is my biggest influence because without him being a swimmer at Wash, I probably wouldn't have started swimming. I remember watching him swim at his meets, and I liked the atmosphere in the pool area. The swim team was close, and they really supported each other. I also liked going to the swim parties after meets. All of my previous and current coaches have influenced me because they have pushed me to be the best I can be, not only in swimming but in all aspects of life.

MSR: What are your favorite classes in school?

JARED: I like all my classes and teachers a lot. My favorite three are Physics, Pre-Calculus and Computer Science. I like Physics with Mr. Kleman because he mixes jokes with Physics. Pre-Calculus with Mr. Hill is a favorite because I like math and he is a great teacher. Computer Science with Mr. Wood is one of my top three because he makes the class fly by. I always enjoy working with my friends and listening to Coach Wood's wise words.