South Elgin's Haseman headed to state

Here's something most freshmen boys don't get to do - prepare to head to a state swim meet. But South Elgin's Nick Haseman has a Friday trip to Evanston in his sights as the first boys swimming state qualifier in school history.

"That's a big accomplishment, I guess," Haseman said. "I wasn't tapered going into this meet. That's a big plus."

Haseman qualified as the champion of the 100-yard backstroke in the St. Charles East sectional Saturday. He also qualified in the 200 freestyle. During the season, Haseman swims for his club, then donned his high school gear to compete in the sectional meet.

Despite heading to the state meet as a sectional champion, Haseman said he has realistic expectations for his initial encounter with the high school state meet experience.

"I'm only 14," he said. "This meet, this sectional, was huge. A lot of people were saying it was a big deal. I was really nervous coming into it. But the crowd really gets your adrenaline going. We don't have a high school team, so this is a big deal, coming to this."

Haseman said he hoped his sport would receive some recognition as he prepares to head to the state meet. Preliminary races take place on Friday. Athletes who qualify in the Top 12 positions return on Saturday to swim in the finals.

"Swimming isn't as big as some other sports at my school," Haseman admitted. "Hopefully I'll get some kind of recognition. But it's good just knowing I did a good job."

Bartlett also competed at St. Charles East. The Hawks did not qualify any swimmers for the state meet. The team's best finishes were 10th placings from Brian Schneigert in the 50 freestyle and Jake Hasenberg in the 500 freestyle.

Hampshire freshman Joshua DeDina competed in the 50 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke but failed to qualify for the state meet.