The Fenwick team gave its fans something to be proud of in the midst of an historic IHSA State championship in Winnetka on Saturday at New Trier High School.
The Friars placed second in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:24.16, edging out the New Trier Trevians (1:24.43) while Hinsdale Central placed first (1:23.43).
“It was just incredible,” said Fenwick senior captain Justin White, who, along with Zach Tieke, Tommy McGuire and Mike Hill, swam the event for the Friars. “Beating New Trier has been one of my goals for four years, and to do it at their home pool is just great.”
Although the Trevians fell in the relay, they took first place as a team handedly with 189 points, 93 ahead of second place Hinsdale Central. But the teams were overshadowed by some impressive individual swims. Mundelein senior Connor Black broke the national record in the 100-yard butterfly with a blistering time of 46.71 seconds. New Trier senior Reed Malone broke the state record in the 200-yard freestyle (1:36.82) and Loyola Academy senior Andrew Jovanovic broke the state record for the 100-yard backstroke (48.25).
As a team, Fenwick placed 11th overall with 46 points, and took 11th place in both the 200-yard medley relay (1:36.40) and 400-yard freestyle relay (3:09.74). Matt Farmer, McGuire, Cavan Smith, and Tieke swam the 200-yard medley relay. White, Derek Guillen, Hill, and Tieke swam the 400 free relay. McGuire also finished 11th in the 100-yard breaststroke (58.56).
“We felt so great,” White said. “To celebrate with my teammates today … it just couldn’t be better.”
The Friars were coming off a successful sectional meet at home last week where they took first place overall.
“Everybody swam really well,” said Fenwick head coach Luke McGuire. “We had a couple of guys that were on the cusp that made it (to state), and we’re very excited to be here.”
Fenwick sophomore Max Showalter also made some noise Saturday, as he placed fifth overall among an elite group of divers with a score of 404.30.
White added that he foresees a bright future for the Friars in state meets for the next couple of years, as the underclassmen have already proven that they can compete.
“There will definitely be a lot of fast relays,” he said. “These guys will do great, best wishes to them.”
