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Bolman speaks volumes for Grayslake North

Here's a classic case of hoping word travels really fast.

Chances are it will, and it's largely due to the buzz that Grayslake North senior Brenden Bolman has helped create for the school's swimming program.

The Knights don't have their own pool, nor do they have a full team.

"I can't wait until word gets back to our A.D. and the school," Bolman said after qualifying for the finals in two events of the boys swimming and diving state finals held at New Trier High School on Friday. "I wish we had a team, but it's still great to represent our school and make a name for Grayslake North. The support has been terrific."

Bolman, no stranger to the state meet having qualified all four of his years, is joined by junior Max Haubrich to form the Knights squad this season.

Haubrich is a pretty good swimmer himself, having taken fifth in the 100-backstroke (54.28) and seventh in the 100-butterfly (55.77) at last week's sectionals.

In the preliminaries Friday afternoon, the Missouri State-bound Bolman first swam a 46.53 in the 100-yard freestyle, gaining 10th place and a spot in Saturday's consolation finals.

Bolman then took third in the 100 backstroke with a 50.16 to make the championship heat.

"I would love to break 50 (seconds) in the 100 backstroke," he said of his favorite of the two events. "I need to focus on the little things like making good turns and breathing right and little details like that."

Both times were personal bests for Bolman.

Libertyville senior star Matt Harrington, who heads to Princeton next fall to showcase his talents, also will swim two individual races in today's finals, which start at noon.

Harrington's made the championship heats in two events. He finished second in the 100 butterfly with a 49.16 and then qualified third in the 200 freestyle with a personal-best time of 1:39.40.

"It's been a pretty tiring week and my times are not my best," said Harrington, who will also join forces with Justin Fu, Noah Jamison and Eric Turner in the consolation finals after placing 10th in the prelims of the 200 freestyle relay. The foursome improved four places after swimming a 1:26.05.

"I'm just trying not to overthink things," Harrington added. "(Friday) is just about qualifying. It's all about throwing it all down (today in the finals)."

Libertyville narrowly missed the championship heat of the 400 freestyle relay when Nick Harrington joined Jamison, Turner and Fu to finish seventh in 3:08.83.

Stevenson senior Nicholas George Koto will also make an appearance in the championship heat of the 200 freestyle. He finished sixth in the prelim, swimming a 1:41.25. Koto will also be in the consolation finals of the 500 freestyle after qualifying ninth (4:38.17).

Lake Forest junior Alexander Streightiff qualified for the finals in diving after putting up 339.25 points. Highland Park senior Alan Brint, who is legally blind, will be competing in the finals of four events for athletes with disabilities. He'll swim the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events as well as the 100 breaststroke.

  Mike Ward of Mundelein wins his 100-yard backstroke during the state swimming prelims at New Trier on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Brenden Bolman of Grayslake North in the 100-yard backstroke during Friday's state swimming prelims at New Trier. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Brenden Bolman of Grayslake North, left, congratulates state record-setter Max St. George of Wheaton co-op after their qualifying heat of the 100-yard backstroke during Friday's state swimming prelims at New Trier on Friday. Both will race in the event final on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Libertyville's Eric Turner checks his time after his performance as anchor of the Wildcats' 200-yard freestyle relay during the state swimming prelims at New Trier on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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