Lyons Township High School seniors Lachlan Gantt and Jake Thorell and juniors Matthew Ferguson and Jack Hannon came off sectionals Feb. 22 with high hopes of being in two relay championship finals at the state boys swimming and diving meet Saturday.
Within a couple of days, the Lions were just hoping everyone could be there.
Illness hit both Gantt and Hannon hard, putting their presence and those same 400- and 200-yard relay lineups in jeopardy.
“I got really sick this week, kind of threw a lot of things down the drain,” Gantt said. “I was out four of five practices (last week). I’m just really happy with how I bounced back. Most people wouldn’t be able to final with that, but we did pretty well for the circumstances we were under.”
Despite the adversity, the Lions indeed reached both championship races at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont. They were an all-state sixth in the 400 free relay (3:05.49) and seventh in the 200 free relay (1:24.57) after season-bests of 3:05.43 and 1:23.78 in Friday’s preliminaries.
Lyons’ Matthew Ferguson competes in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay during the IHSA Boys Swimming State Championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Lyons’ Matthew Ferguson, Lachlan Gantt, Jake Thorell and Jack Hannon stand at the podium after being introduced for their 7th place finish in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay during the IHSA Boys Swimming State Championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
Ferguson added to the all-state achievements with fifth in the 200 free (lifetime-best 1:39.35) and eighth in the 500 free (4:37.82) after a lifetime-best 4:34.60 Friday.
“We just knew that once we got here, it was just a matter of executing,” Ferguson said. “I think there was a little bit of concern (with illnesses) but we knew what we were capable of and that we were going to get some of the fastest times of the season.”
The Lions added two honorable mention all-staters for ninth to 16th place. Gantt was 14th in the 100 free (46.38) and Vahey was 16th in the 100 backstroke (53.77).
The Lions finished 11th with 81 points, two points from 10th, with their first all-staters since the 2022 third-place state trophy team. Last season, the Lions tied for 27th (20 points).
“Getting those four A (championship) finals when we’ve had zero the last few years has really been something special,” LTHS coach Erin Rodriguez said. “Our goal was top 10. To get 11th with 81 points and be two points out of 10th, phenomenal.”
Top-nine finishers in Friday’s preliminaries compete for the state title Saturday. Those with the ninth to 16th times compete for ninth and are honorable mention all-state.
The Lions scored a victory even before preliminaries. After their wild week of illnesses and absences, every state qualifier was able to compete.
“When I was getting the texts (Feb. 25 about sickness), I was going to be happy to have (everyone Friday),” Rodriguez said. “It put into perspective how lucky we are to all be here and then two A finals with half of our relay out for a couple of days, that shows the preparation and the guts they have.”
In 2024, the Lions had two honorable mention all-staters with the 200 free relay of Gantt, Hannon, Thorell and Ferguson (10th, 1:24.57) and 200 medley relay that included Vahey and Thorell (14th, 1:35.55).
“Since (this state is) my last one, I don’t know what to feel right now,” Thorell said. “It’s an emotional time leaving. It’s been a fun season. It’ s been a great season. And getting 11th in state, it’s just feels so amazing.
“Just the friendships that we made along the way, the good times, that’ll sick with me the rest of my life. These seniors, they’ve become family to me.”
At sectionals, Thorell joined Gantt as the ones dodging illness just to qualify for state. Hannon’s illness that arose last week resulted in missing school until he came for a half-day Thursday.
“I currently have the flu and something wrong with my rotator cuff. You can’t let that stop you for state,” Hannon said Saturday.
“I think I did a total of 2,500 yards (training) the week leading up to state. Me and Lachlan were struggling a little bit.”
Individually, Gantt caught a second wind Friday. Disappointed with 30th in the 50 free (21.38), Gantt pulled out the 16th and final qualifying spot in the 100 free (46.48) by just .01. In Saturday’s consolation final, Gantt dropped .10 for his second-fastest time of the season.
“I came back and really just tried my best (Saturday), did everything I could and improved my place,” Gantt said. “From my individuals, I definitely expected way more but I’m impressed with how I did (in finals).”
Already excited for next season are Hannon and Ferguson, especially after his going 4-for-4 for reaching the championship finals.
“I definitely exceeded expectations. I wouldn’t have thought top eight in all four. I’m stoked,” Ferguson said. “Seeing these results is going to drive me further and I’ll do better next year.”
Among other LTHS state entries, the 200 medley relay of sophomore Jovan Mijailovic, junior Andy Deditz, Vahey and Thorell was 20th (1:35.86), Vahey (100 butterfly in 51.40) was 30th and Mijailovic was 39th in the 100 back (53.81) and had a false start in the 200 free. In diving, sophomore Owen Kachmarik (171.55 points for 5 dives) and senior Devin Wong (165.90) were 46th and 47th.