Summer work culminates in swimmers' big meet
As Jack Levant touched the wall in record time, Jamie Frodyma couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed. Tears of a proud aunt, godmother - and coach.
"He's been practicing hard all summer, and he knew this was his last chance to break the record," Frodyma said. "It's exciting."
Levant, 8-year-old member of the White Eagle swim team, set a record of 14.89 seconds in the 8 and under 25-yard butterfly at Saturday's 41st Annual Naperville Park District Swim Conference's City Championship meet at Neuqua Valley High School. Levant's previous best was 15.40 seconds. Saturday he broke Richard Wolf's 17-year-old meet record of 15.37 seconds.
"I was thinking about it the whole time," Levant said.
"He's a very confident kid, a strong swimmer and loves the sport," Frodyma said. "But the most important thing is his mental toughness. He's so determined and so focused."
Levant earlier won the 50 freestyle in 31.65 seconds. And he joined White Eagle teammates Ethan Morse, Jared Simpson and Brett Merriman in setting a meet record of 1:09.66 in the 100 medley relay, beating their previous best by more than 5 seconds.
"That medley relay was a little bit of a shock," Frodyma said. "We were just hoping they could win it."
A night before, White Eagle's 15- to 18-year-old boys 200 freestyle relay team of Matt O'Brien, Tyler Hsieh, Kevin Schuster and Mike Lehman swam a record time of 1:27.58.
"I think the younger boys were trying to piggyback on their success," Frodyma said.
The two-day city meet is the culmination of the swim season for the Naperville Park District and its 23 member pools. More than 3,200 swimmers participated in the program this year. Intensity runs high at the meet - even if it is friendly competition among peers.
"I just know that I have to try my best," said Devin Jacobs of Cress Creek Commons. "The whole city is watching."
Jacobs fared quite well, winning the 9-10 girls 50 freestyle in 28.80 seconds and the 50 breaststroke in 37.81 seconds. She edged runner-up Mackensie Hornstra in two close races. Jacobs also took second to Annie Gosselin in the 100 individual medley.
"I think I like the IM the most," Jacobs said. "I wanted to drop time and make top three in every event. I did that so I'm happy."
Gosselin of White Eagle won the 100 IM in 1:10.66 and the 50 butterfly in 32.61.
With cheering fans shaking the aquatic center at high decibels, every swimmer gets a rush of adrenalin. Many swimmers use this to do their best.
Kids like Hobson West's Kyle Jackson, who won the 9-10 100 IM in 1:15.70 and the 50 breaststroke in 39.38 seconds. Both times were nearly 3 seconds faster than his previous bests.
"I got the time drop. That's all that matters," he said. "When you're behind the blocks before a race it gets pretty nerve-racking. But I use those nerves for energy so I can go faster."