BELCHERTOWN, Mass. - A fish out of water is how some might describe Belchertown High School senior Mitchell Dubey.

The 6’3” senior at Belchertown High School began swimming competitively at the age of 9 for local swim clubs.

“It’s probably the biggest part of my life. It has been for a really, really long time,” Dubey said. “It’s become a huge part of me.”

Growing up, he had tried many sports, from baseball to golf, but the pool drew Dubey back.

“I think the very rapid progression that I saw really drew me in,” Dubey said. “And also the family that I found within the swimming community also drew me in, because they’re not only your friends they’re also your family and they will pick you up regardless of who you are or what, or how your day has been.”

Dubey said he made a lot of important New England cut times over the course of his swimming career. Last year, he made his first winter junior cut, which qualified him for nationals.

Then in February, Dubey won two state high school titles for Belchertown’s varsity swim team.

With all these accolades under his belt, Dubey said now it’s all about improving himself.

“It’s more about self improvement, is what really strives me,’ Dubey said.”I want to be a better swimmer every single day and that really pushes me and on the days that I don’t have that drive, my swim team is always there to pick me up.”

In March, Dubey signed with the U.S. Naval Academy on a full tuition athletic scholarship with many of his teammates in attendance.

Fish stick together and sometimes travel in schools, and for Dubey, it’s not unlike his relationships with teammates in the pool.

“The winning is a great part of it, but it’s not really the end all be all. It’s really about finding those people that you originally competed with when you were 9, 10 when I first started swimming, and to be back in the pool with them,” Dubey said. “It was an amazing feeling.”