The boys’ swimming team had high expectations to start the season as the Chicago Tribune ranked them number three in the state. The boys have largely lived up to those expectations, cumulating a 4-1 record in dual meets. The boys had lots of success in their invites, winning the Spartan Invite, Titan Relays, and the Deerfield Relays, and coming in second at the Evanston Invite during winter break. At the season-opening Deerfield Relays, they swept every event.

The swimmers listen to coach MacDoanld during practice. His advice has obviously workes so far as they remain a dominant force in the state.

The Titans have had two extremely important meets so far, one against number one New Trier earlier in the year, and another against number two St. Charles North in the Spartan Invitational. Senior Matt Woodrow described the meet as being “really, really intense.” In the past couple of years, the Trevians have won the state title and come out the following year as the pre-season favorite to win again. While the team lost against New Trier and St. Charles North, they fought hard and were always really close in relays but just came up a little bit short.

Junior Paul Hwang was disappointed by the results in both meets, but has taken an optimistic view of the losses. “While we did lose both those meets, we were able to see how well we could compare with those teams and see what we need to improve upon. I think we have gotten a lot better since those meets and hopefully that will show once we get to the end of the season,” he stated.

The team has received strong leadership from three key seniors: Andrew Schmitt, who swims the 100 fly; Matt Woodrow, 50, 100, and 200 freestyle; and Eugene Zlotnikov, who swims the 100 fly and 200 individual medley. According to Hwang, Colin Cordes, a junior and an All-American swimmer, leads the team by practicing hard and leading the team by example. Woodrow had the same thing to say about Schmitt; he practices hard and sets a great example for his younger teammates. Two underclassmen, sophomore Ben Hengels and freshman Dominik Cubelic, have also contributed a lot to this squad. When the team can have so many strong performers in every class, it is no wonder that the boys’ swimming teams is consistently one of the finest at GBS. Senior Matt Woodrow attributes this success to the team’s strong unity. “Over the last year, we have become a much closer team. Swimming is not an individual sport, so being close with one another is vital. Cheering for teammates during races helps, and it has been really nice to see our team come together,” commented Woodrow.

The Titans practice for upcoming meets. The team is currently 4-1.

The team’s upcoming schedule is not as important as the Conference, Sectionals, and State meets. The team has a meet against Maine South on January 26 and another meet against Evanston on February 2. Evanston was a very good team two years ago, but is not nearly as good now as it was then. Conference will be February 10, with the Titans’ main competition coming from New Trier. The team hopes for a split title with New Trier in that meet and obviously should advance to sectionals. Sectionals is on February 17, and without New Trier in their sectional meet, the Titans expect to win, like they did last year. At the State meet, February 23 and 24, the boys would like to finish in the top three in State since that was their preseason ranking.

Two-time state champion Wes Villaflor, in his senior year, aims to win the championship again. However, his performance is not the only thing he wants to work on. Villaflor stated, “I want to watch the swimming team to support them.”

Since the team is ranked third in state there is more pressure to do well in order to help the team as a whole.

Diving Coach Laura Duffy commented, “Last year was the first time in a long time that the team as a whole had a chance to do well in state. This year we have the same situation. The diving team’s performance could make or break the entire team’s placing.”
As for the diving team individually, Duffy said that this year there is less competition in GBS’s conference, unlike in years past. While the team will have an easier time succeeding in dual meets, the boys will not be used to the stiff competition they will face at the Sectional and State championships. Look for both the swimming and diving teams to do well in the postseason.

Chris Anderson, assistant sports editor; Mike Anderson, assistant news editor