Talent with humble edge

After leaning down from the blocks to accept his medal at last Saturday's Mid-Suburban League swimming meet, he turned to the camera-toting crowd leaning over the glass railing and smiled as he posed with his prize.

Then, as Brian Marko walked past him toward the first-place podium, he crouched down and graciously shook the Barrington junior's hand in defeat.

But don't be fooled by this peaceful exterior and apparent acceptance of second place. Fremd junior Varun Shivakumar has an unwavering competitive desire that burns deep inside.

And losing by one-hundredth of a second in his signature event will fuel this fire even hotter.

"He's one of the strongest internal competitors I think I'll have," said Fremd coach Nicole LaBeau. "He's calm and mellow on the front, but he's got a deep-rooted competitive side. He wants to win."

As a first-time state qualifier last season, the sophomore did not go to New Trier with intentions of winning gold in the 100 backstroke. In fact, he stood in awe of the crowd and of his almost indescribable surroundings.

"It was ridiculous. It was so nerve-wracking," he recalled. "At sectionals, everyone was asking me how I thought I was going to do and I said I just wanted to do well. At state, I wasn't really optimistic."

But ignoring his 14th seed, Shivakumar pumped out a personal-best 53.95 in the Friday preliminaries and qualified for the consolation finals, where he touched the wall in 54.85 -- good for 12th in state.

"That was a lot better than I thought I was going to do," he said.

Expectations have changed this year -- the 6-foot-4 junior is eyeing a top-6 finish in the 100 backstroke next weekend at Evanston.

As if he knew the question was coming, Shivakumar responded that five of the top-12 finishers from last year's finals have graduated, five were now seniors and he was one of two returning juniors. To say he's spent a few hours surfing the Internet to research his competition would be an understatement.

"I stay really in touch with swimming," he said. "I like to know where everyone else is. It gives me a good idea of what I need to do."

This attention to detail and desire to improve is not limited to the pool. He holds a 4.5 weighted GPA and a jaw-dropping 2130 on the SAT. Always one to push himself, he's retaking the exam because he said he knows he can do better.

"All the teachers that have had him say the nicest things about him," LaBeau said. "He's almost chagrined when he hears me telling him this. He has that humble edge."

And a playful side, no matter how business-like he can appear.

"He definitely hides a lot of his real character," said Fremd junior Sam Childs. "He likes playing tricks a lot and nobody ever knows it's him."

Well, maybe some people do.

"Does Varun goof around?" LaBeau asked Fremd senior Tony Palcheck as he walked by minutes before his heat in the 500 free last Saturday.

Without saying a word, Palcheck just started laughing and walked away. Enough said.

With his 17th birthday next Thursday and the state meet next Friday and Saturday, it could be quite a celebration for Shivakumar. Does he have anything planned?

"Just swim fast," he said.

It's back to business for Varun Shivakumar.