Connecticut Colleges Justin Finkel is rewriting the record books NBC Connecticut [Video]

Cheshire native Justin Finkel picked up swimming when he was 8 years old.

“I’ve always loved the water even before I started swimming competitively,” said Finkel, who competes in multiple events at Connecticut College. “200 butterfly has a special place in my heart.”

Finkel won two Division III National Championships this spring, one in the 500 freestyle and the other in the 200 butterfly, where he set the national D-III record.

“It felt amazing,” Finkel said. “It was really surreal and it’s a feeling I will never forget.”

In addition to his two titles, Finkel also placed fourth in the 200 freestyle and was named the CSCAA Division III Swimmer of the Year.

“I think some of the goals I got this year were some of the goals that I set by the time I graduated,” Finkel said. “So I think having achieved them this year puts me in a …