Aidan Blackmon has stacked his state plate with seven events this season. And the Redmond High junior is gunning for eight when he tackles the 500-yard freestyle for the first time this season next week.

“Not too shabby,” he said humorously with a smile before practice at the Strattonwood Pool in Redmond earlier this week. “It feels really good, definitely doing better than last year. Last year I didn’t get all of them, I tried, but this year is a much better year.”

Of the seven, Blackmon — who is putting more focus into his craft this year — lists his favorites as the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly, the events in which he earned medals in last year at the 4A state meet at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

As a sophomore, he took fourth in the fly in 50.76 and finished fifth in the free in 21.68. He also notched fourth in the fly as a freshman.

Blackmon thrives on the straight-sprint, full-power aspect of those two events.

“Just go all out, just everything you’ve got,” he said

The Mustang first took up swimming lessons as a youngster at Redmond Pool and then dove into the competitive nature of the sport with WAVE Aquatics at the age of 8.

Eight years later, Blackmon still swims with WAVE and he’s just as passionate about the sport as ever.

“It just kind of took off the first time I got into the pool,” said Blackmon, who tried basketball, soccer, football and baseball before settling on swimming.

Blackmon has his eyes set on college swimming and his ultimate goal is competing in the Olympics.

The Reporter asked Blackmon a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his life:

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Definitely people telling me something that I need to do when I’m about to do it. That really annoys me, like a lot.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

Michael Phelps.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Do what you love, and if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, then it’s not for you.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

“The Avengers” as a whole. The whole series is pretty good. I like “Star Wars,” too. All of them, ‘cause my dad got me into it when I was really young, and I really enjoy it.

Who’s your favorite “Star Wars” character?

Darth Vader. He might be evil, but he’s pretty cool.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Usually like pop, I guess. Whatever’s blowing up at the time, whatever’s recent, whatever everybody’s listening to. I usually just pick a playlist on Spotify and then I just listen to it. It’s usually hip hop or pop or something like that.

What super power would you like to have?

Either flying or teleportation, ‘cause then I could just get to places and I don’t have to leave early or anything, I could just be there. ‘Cause I’m late, a lot.

What’s a special skill you’d like to learn?

How to blow really good bubble rings in the water.

Redmond High’s Aidan Blackmon competes in the 100-yard butterfly at the 4A state meet last season at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. Andy Nystrom / staff photo