ELMHURST – Hinsdale Central senior Brian Powell tried numerous sports growing up, but finding his passion was difficult.
“All of the other sports didn’t work out,” Powell said. “I decided to try swimming and it got my heart.”
Powell started swimming six years ago with the Westmont Swim Club and credits his first coach, Adam Creme, with developing his love of the sport.
Powell now is preparing for his third state meet with the Red Devils after a strong performance Saturday at the York Sectional.
He teamed with seniors Brian Portland and Adam Pircon and sophomore Franco Reyes to take second in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a state-qualifying time of 1 minute, 26 seconds, and qualified in the 200 medley relay (1:36.6) with Portland, junior Craig Smith and freshman Billy Leader and in the 50 free (21.66).
Powell is pleased with the progress he’s made in six years.
“When I first started I was wearing board shorts to my first meet,” Powell said. “I realized you needed something a little faster to go faster. I’m a late bloomer. Something clicked and that’s why I’m at where I’m at now.”
Powell’s value to the team extends beyond his accomplishments in the water. He took standout Reyes under his wings last season and has been a role model for the younger swimmers.
“He’s a great teammate,” Reyes said. “He’s a really good mentor to me. He showed me all the things you need to do in high school swimming to succeed in swimming and even in life. He’s been a very good friend of mine.”
Hinsdale Central coach Bob Barber marvels at Powell’s knowledge of the sport.
“I’d be lucky if I could have Brian Powell as my assistant,” Barber said. “He’d probably be a better head coach than me. He loves it. He understands the sport well; he understands opposing teams and what it takes to be ready for one particular day. He’s a student of the sport and I’m very proud of him.”
Powell and Portland were on the Red Devils’ state-championship 200 free relay as sophomores. Reyes joined them on last year’s relay that placed second. Powell also took 11th in the 50 free a year ago.
Reyes, who placed fifth in the 100 butterfly and sixth in the 100 backstroke at state as a freshman, broke the York pool record in winning the 100 fly (50.39) and also qualified in the 200 individual medley (1:55.69).
Reyes, who is also a citizen of Panama, gained a boost of confidence during the summer.
“I trained for a meet to go to China and I represented the country of Panama,” Reyes said. “It was a great experience. I met people from all different parts of the world and competed against all these amazing swimmers.”
Hinsdale Cental’s other state qualifiers were Tommy Gruchala, William Bowater, Pircon and Portland (400 free relay); Pircon (200 free, 500 free); Portland (50 free, 100 free); Bowater (200 free); Smith (100 back); Ian Ferguson (100 back); and Michael Dietrich (100 breast).
Hinsdale Central junior Emmett Mohl and senior Elliott Arnold qualified in diving.
“I think these guys are capable of some crazy stuff (at state),” Barber said.
Ken Ryan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press
