Boys swimming: Lake County preview
On Nov. 25, Black Friday in the U.S., Stevenson senior diver James Lichtenstein boinged for gold in Birmingham, England, at the World Age Group Trampoline Championships.
The Patriot, a sectional diving champ last winter, executed some highly difficult passes (routines) in the double-mini trampoline segment.
More than a handful of professional, nicked-up stuntmen would have thought twice before performing one of them: a double-back, with 2-and-a-half twists.
“That one,” he said earlier this week, “has a blind landing.”
Lichtenstein, blessed with uncanny air awareness, ended up runner-up to Russia’s Andrey Gladenkov in the 17-18 age group.
Lichtenstein wouldn’t mind mining for trampoline gold in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, host country of a fairly substantial get-together in 2016: Summer Olympics.
But first things first, for Lichtenstein and a strong boatload of Lake County boys swimmers and divers: the 2011-12 prep season.
A couple of brothers from Warren, senior Danny Conway and junior Matt Conway, appear poised to climb starting blocks — for races and medals — at the state meet.
Each gets to train for the Olympic Trials next summer, Danny in 400-yard IM and Matt in the 200 butterfly.
Danny Conway, Purdue-bound, boiled water while taking sixth in the 500 freestyle (4:35.33) and 10th in the 200 IM (1:54.24) at last year’s state meet; Matt Conway touched 10th in the 100 butterfly (50.97) and 12th in the 100 backstroke (53.11).
“The gem of our conference (North Suburban),” Stevenson coach Greg Hartman said of Warren’s crew. “When you have swimmers, like those two … wow. But that’s not what Warren is all about. When you have that kind of talent in the water, teammates want to rise and succeed as well. And that’s what usually happens.”
Senior Sean Conway, Danny’s twin, swam on a pair of state-qualifying relays last year. Classmate Chad Church helped the Blue Devils’ 200 medley relay place 11th at state.
Warren, co-NSC champs with Stevenson, captured a sectional title and finished 14th at state last year.
“We’re looking to continue the success we had last year,” said Blue Devils coach Chris Bertana. “We’re looking forward to embracing the competition, as well as aiming to finish even higher at state.
“Looking at the last few club performances across the state,” he added, “this is going to be one of the fastest years in Illinois swimming.”
He must have looked at Connor Black’s times. The Mundelein torpedo, now a junior, sped to second in the 100 butterfly (50.13) and eighth in the 200 IM (1:53.5) at state a year ago.
Black also led off the Mustangs’ fifth-place 200 free relay (1:25.1) at state. Current senior Bryan Wiener and 2011 graduates Will Davidson and Sean Falconer swam the other legs.
“Connor can swim anything,” said Mundelein coach Rahul Sethna, whose squad placed seventh at state in February. “And Bryan is due for a big year; I see him having an impact at state.”
None of Stevenson’s entrants at state last year advanced to Saturday’s finals.
Don’t count on a one-day-and-done rerun.
Hartman’s 2011-12 edition, in addition to Lichtenstein, features seniors Ryota Kuwahara, Langston Fitts, Chris Hodges and Daniel Shtivelberg.
Kuwahara, one of the county’s most versatile swimmers, qualified for state in four events in each of the last three seasons. Fitts is capable of succeeding in the 50 free and 500 free – and in every freestyle event in between; he motored to a 15th-place tie, in the 200 free (1:43.25), at state last year.
Fitts, Kuwahara and Shtivelberg, along with ’11 grad Adam Salzman, took 14th in the 400 free relay (3:11.16) in a state prelim last winter.
Or a scant 0.34 slower than the 12th-place time.
Only the top 12, in each event, advance to Day 2 at state.
Libertyville’s lone state entrant on Saturday last winter, Ben Snader (9th, 100 breaststroke, 58.28), swims for Division III power Denison (Ohio) University these days.
Wildcats coach Kevin Zakrzewski welcomed back sophomore Alex Snarski (100 fly, 100 backstroke) and senior Matt King (200 free, 500 free).
Snarski placed 21st in the 100 back (53.56) at his first state meet.
“Alex,” Zakrzewski said, “is incredibly talented, a great competitor. And Matt is animal in the pool, our hardest worker.
“My juniors and seniors,” he added, “are my hardest workers, and my freshmen and sophomores are my most talented. I’ve leaned on my upperclassmen, a ton, to show leadership. The future of our program looks really promising.”
Look for Vernon Hills to rely on a pair of divers this winter. Junior Alex Zuniga finished second (220.25 points) to Lichtenstein (231.3) at a home dual Dec. 8. Cougars senior captain Nathan Lightman took fourth (183.5), behind Stevenson freshman Blake Ripes (187.15).
Stevenson freshmen Nick Koto (4:58.32) and Allen Feng (5:03.03) went 1-2 in the 500 free at the same meet.
VH’s top returning swimmers are seniors David Kocoj (100 fly, sprint free) and Peter Schultz (100 back, 100 free).
“They swam over the summer, and they’re in great shape,” Cougars coach Adam Lueken said. “They’re ready to lead our team.”
Stevenson hosts the season’s first big meet, the Lake County Invite, on Dec. 17.