Iowa 'just feels right' to Stevenson star Partridge

Each period of a water polo match begins with a swim-off.

The referee drops the ball to the side of the pool and first swimmer to the ball gains possession.

Since Stevenson has senior Duncan Partridge, the Patriots almost always begin the quarter with possession. Sometimes, the other team doesn't even send a swimmer for the ball and just sets up on defense.

Frustrated players on the other team shouldn't feel bad. Partridge has been swimming faster than almost all of his high school opponents for some time.

Partridge, who finished second at the IHSA state meet in the 50-yard freestyle and third in the 100 freestyle, will swim next year for the University of Iowa. Partridge, the holder of several school records at Stevenson, also seriously considered Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"I visited all the colleges and the Iowa just felt right," Partridge said. "I liked the campus and the team. Right now the team isn't at (the top) of the Big Ten, but they're heading in that direction."

Partridge really burst onto the area scene after a growth spurt prior to his junior year. As his height increased to 6-feet-4, his times began to drop dramatically.

"That's when I started taking swimming seriously," he said. "That was a groundbreaking season for me."

Partridge's older brother, Tristan, swims for the University of Massachusetts. As a result, Partridge is well aware of the rigors of college swimming, and he wants to gain at least 10 pounds to increase his power in the water.

"I know how hard college coaches work their teams," he said. "I'm working on (my strength). I want to be a prepared as I can."

Partridge said when he reflects on high school swimming, he'll think first of his teammates.

"That's the best part of swimming," he said. "We had a great group of guys."