Boys Swimming: Killeen, New Trier prep for more state-meet glory

• Reprints

Winnetka Saturday 2/12/11 New Trier's Nick Killeen during the 200 Free Style. | Jerry Daliege~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:34AM

Close competition among his New Trier teammates doesn’t bother Nick Killeen.

In fact, the senior welcomes it, and he knows it will prepare him for next month’s state meet at Evanston.

“Everyone pushes each other on this team, but everyone also is very supportive,” said Killeen, who upon graduation will compete at the University of Michigan, where his mother, Marjie, also studied. “I want to keep up my end by also pushing people.”

Once the postseason begins, Killeen will look to become a four-time state-meet qualifier. He won a championship last season as part of the Trevians’ 400-yard freestyle relay, along with Max Grodecki, Sam Skinner and Reed Malone.

Killeen also finished eighth in the 200 freestyle in his third season of qualifying in the event. But Killeen, a distance freestyler, understands that qualifying for the state meet again isn’t guaranteed.

“I’ve learned from past experiences, and I am not taking anything for granted,” he said.

Killeen is in good position to get back to the state finals. His times in the 200 and 500 freestyles are faster than they’ve ever been in the regular season. He also looks to compete with the 400 free relay.

“I am working hard on all aspects,” he said. “The past couple of years, I’ve been up and down. I am working on staying confident rather than psych myself out. I am starting to see things are paying off. But I still am working hard to get my spots.”

Killeen was part of something special when the Trevians hosted Evanston on Friday. The program celebrated its 100th year of existence, and many former team members returned for the evening.

New Trier beat Evanston 137-48, and Killeen swam on three winning relays. He also was third in the 50 free.

“That’s something that’s been in the back of my mind all year,” Killeen said. “I was so surprised to see all these people come back, people who swam back in the 1950s and ’60s. It was really incredible to see how swimming in high school affected the rest of their lives. It made me step back and realize how much this team has impacted me. We are all lucky to be part of such an established program.”

Killeen already has been a member of two state title-winners in his time at New Trier. The Trevians have collected 21 state titles since the 1934-35 season, and will be the favorites to win No. 22 next month.

“We had a really great team my sophomore year, and we thought we could run away with the state title,” Killeen said. “I think we got too confident. We definitely are confident this year, but are not celebrating until we have the trophy. Right now, everything is up in the air.”

New Trier notched another big win on Saturday, capturing the title at Hinsdale Central’s invitational with 442 points.