Alex Brunfeldt led Free State High’s boys swimming team to a state championship in February, and the Indiana University freshman has loftier goals this year.

“It was real exciting and motivated me to keep working hard,” said Brunfeldt, who already has earned an NCAA provisional time in the 1,650-yard freestyle. “I know it pays off.”

Brunfeldt knew his first year of collegiate competition would be challenging, but the hardest part came before his first real race.

“The first couple of months of training were definitely the hardest I’ve ever done in my life,” said Brunfeldt, who reported Aug. 23 to the Hoosiers’ campus. “I didn’t know how I would be able to swim based on the intensity of the workouts, but it’s working out for me.”

The 13th-ranked Hoosiers practice from 5:15 to 7:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. They also have afternoon workouts from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There’s no time to sleep in on the weekend with Saturday practices from 7:15 to 10 a.m. IU swimmers also lift weights four times a week.

“You hurt every day this time of year, but next semester should be more fun,” said Brunfeldt, who will start tapering at the end of January in preparation for the Big Ten Conference championships Feb. 24-26 at Minnesota. “I think I’m getting stronger, and it’s showing in my times.”

Indiana landed the nation’s second-best recruiting class last season, but a few freshman already have quit the team.

“I came in knowing it would be a challenge,” said Brunfeldt, who also made recruiting visits to Minnesota and Cornell. “It’s definitely been everything I anticipated and a little bit more.”

Brunfeldt made IU’s travel squad early in the season and proved he belonged when he won the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:26.14 Oct. 29 at Texas A&M. He finished second in the 500 freestyle at the same meet.

Brunfeldt — a two-time high school state champion in the 500 free — has placed in the top three in 11 of his 22 events this season. His biggest achievement through eight meets was posting an NCAA provisional time in the 1,650-yard freestyle Nov. 20 at the IU Invite.

“It definitely was surprising,” said Brunfeldt, who finished second in 15:28.65. “It was a personal best. I’d never gone that fast.”

The NCAA automatic qualifying time in the 1,650 free for the March 24-26 national meet at Minneapolis is 15:05.

“The automatic time is very fast,” he said. “Probably only 10 people will get automatic times, but the NCAA will take a certain number over that with provisional times. One of my goals is to make NCAAs this year, to swim fast enough that the NCAA will select me. As my career progresses, I think I’ll make that automatic time for sure.”