Boys Swimming: New Trier nearly perfect at own sectional
BY DAN SHALIN Contributor February 20, 2012 11:06PM
2/18/12. Winnetka. New Trier's Jack Mangan dives into the water at the start of the 100 Backstroke at the New Trier Sectional. Mangan won the event and qualified for the state meet. | Tracy Allen~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:30AM
New Trier is in its 100th season of competitive boys swimming, and the Trevians are hoping to celebrate the centennial by repeating as state champions.
Favorites for the crown all season, New Trier looked like a champion-elect on Saturday, cruising to victory in its own sectional.
The Trevians qualified 17 individuals and each of its three relays for the state meet, Friday and Saturday at Evanston. New Trier won 10 of the 12 events in the sectional, and two Trevians qualified in each of the eight individual swimming events.
“It did (go according to plan). We took some chances here and there, and the guys came through,” said Trevians head coach Mark Onstott. “Nobody shaved and tapered, and all the swimmers got through. It was a great day. Everybody did what they needed to do.”
Although New Trier is the favorite to win it all, Onstott said he has reminded his squad that nothing is guaranteed. Just two seasons ago, the Trevs had similar expectations, only to finish third, five points behind champion Naperville Central and two behind second-place Neuqua Valley.
“That’s been something we thought about last year, and it’s still on our minds,” Onstott said. “At the end of the day, we can’t just show up and expect it to go our way. We have to make it happen. These are a bunch of guys who are ready to do that. They are ready to go in there (at State) and do their jobs, and contribute to the team.”
Senior Nick Killeen, who will compete in the 200-yard freestyle and 500 free in the state meet, said that the Trevians are not taking anything for granted. However, he’s confident about his team’s chances to bring home another first-place trophy.
“Two years ago, we were going to Evanston (for state), and I would have said (a title) was in the bag. But we got third,” he said. “I can’t say officially that we have it in the bag (this year). But we are swimming out-of-our-minds fast. It’s our 100th year, and in 100 years, it’s the fastest we’ve ever been. So we’re very confident. But in the back of our minds, we know we have to stay focused and motivated because anything can happen.”
New Trier’s toughest challenge for the title once again is expected to come from the western suburbs, this season in the form of Naperville North.
After winning Saturday’s Metea Valley Sectional, Naperville North junior Eric Curia said he’s not conceding the state championship to the Trevians.
“I believe our team has a lot potential to win as long as we have the mental drive we’ve had this entire season,” he said. “We’re a very good team. I can’t wait to prove everyone wrong (at State).”
Saturday’s New Trier Sectional got off to a fine start for the home team, as senior diver Jordan Sacks captured the title with a pool- and school-record score of 530.95.
Other individual champions for the Trevians were: senior Sam Skinner in the 200 free (1:42.75); junior Reed Malone in the 200 IM (1:53.81) and 500 free (4:35.39); senior Max Grodecki in the 50 free (21.19) and the 100 free (46.81); and junior Jack Mangan in the 100 backstroke (51.18).
In addition, the quartet of Mangan, senior Grant Smith, Malone and senior Nels Snyder won the 200 medley relay (1:35.44).
In the 200 free relay, the foursome of Skinner, Snyder, junior David Schriesheim and Grodecki came out on top (1:25.48), while Skinner, Malone, Mangan and Grodecki were victorious in the 400 free relay.
The Trevians will be looking to repeat as champs in three events at State. In 2011, Grodecki won the 100 free, and New Trier captured the 200 free and 400 free relays. All participants on the latter two are back this year.
New Trier’s two freestyle relays enter this year’s state meet as the top seeds. Sacks also had the top sectional score in diving.
Could this be one of the best, if not the best, boys swim team ever at New Trier?
Onstott said to wait until Saturday evening before making any such declarations.
“They have an opportunity to be one of the better teams in New Trier history, and there have been some incredible teams,” he said. “But let’s wait and make that judgment (after State).”
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