Fast times at New Trier High raise questions

The debate will be sure go on about just how much the new generation of racing suits affected last weekend's boys swimming state meet at New Trier.

At issue is how much these suits - which have a positive effect on buoyancy - effect performances. Virtually everyone agrees that they help people go faster, but it's a question of degree, and there's no clear consensus yet.

For Fremd senior Sam Childs, who finished eighth in the 100-yard freestyle to close out a standout career, people might be overthinking the whole thing a little bit.

"There's no doubt the new suits help," he said. "But I think it's more important for what it does to a swimmer's mentality. At this level, so much of it is what you believe. I think the suits get people to think fast - therefore they swim fast."

State records were set in seven events in the meet, which was won by New Trier.

Many object to the steep price tag of the suits, and cries are growing louder in the international swimming community to have clearer definitions about what should and should not be allowed into competition.

More technology: Another technological advance almost got New Trier junior Sam Metz in trouble at the state meet.

Just before his final heat of the 200 IM, virtually all of Metz' teammates and the whole Trevians coaching staff was hollering at him to take out his ear buds. Metz, of course, could not hear them, due to those same ear buds.

An assistant coach had to approach Metz behind the blocks and physically help him remove the buds just seconds before the race.

Ouch: Along with the great moments of achievement which punctuate the end of any swimming season, inevitably there are moments of sadness.

Such as when Buffalo Grove senior Adrian Sadkowski false started in his final chance to advance to the state meet. Despite that disappointment, coach Jamie Klotz was nothing but proud of Sadkowski and his whole Buffalo Grove bunch.

"You know, it didn't work out for Adrian, but he swam his tail off," Klotz said on the deck at Barrington after the sectional meet. "We had such a great group of kids, and I think they really believe and got everything out of themselves. It was such a rewarding group for me. I'll really miss them."

There's plenty of reason to be optimistic, too.

Junior Brad Lotzer completed his season at New Trier with a career-best 48.27 in the 100 free, and freshman Ian Rodriguez figures to give the Bison another proven competitor heading into next season.

Fitting: It was nice to see Rolling Meadows senior A.J. Meadows receive a sectional medal from his coach Monika Chiappetta after qualifying for the state meet in both the 50 and 100 freestyles. Adams missed out on competing with the Mustangs in his junior year, but everybody loves a happy ending.

Wait till next year: Two state-level rivalries worth watching ...

In the 100 breaststroke, the top two finishers were sophomores - Kevin Cordes of Neuqua Valley and Matt Elliott of Peoria Richwoods.

In the 200 IM, there was a tie for second place between juniors Will Heidler of Naperville North and Sam Metz of New Trier.