Having finished fourth or better in state in each of the past five seasons, the Hinsdale Central boys swimming team has had plenty of recent success, including a state title in 2015.
The Red Devils are motivated to improve upon last season’s third-place finish at the state meet, particularly given that their West Suburban Silver rival Lyons took first.
“It definitely pushes us watching (Lyons) swim,” Hinsdale Central senior William Bowater said. “Last year was tough. They’re our rival, and we want to beat them. … We’re just making sure the training is there, because we can’t get where we want to go if we don’t put it in now.”
Georgia Tech-bound senior Franco Reyes will again be one of the Red Devils’ standouts. Reyes, the two-time defending state champion in the 100-yard butterfly, swam legs in the team’s first-place 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams last season. Reyes knows a three-peat in the 100 fly is far from guaranteed.
“Of course I’d like to defend my state title for the 100 fly,” said Reyes, a Burr Ridge resident. “I don’t know what to expect. Anything could happen in the state between now and (February).”
Bowater and sophomore Donovan Lahmann return from the winning 200 free relay, and junior Billy Leader returns from last year’s winning 200 medley relay. Junior Cole Grosshans (50 freestyle) and sophomore Trystan Lundgren (100 breaststroke) also swam at the state championship meet last year.
“We’ve got some really strong sprinters this year,” said Bowater, a Hinsdale resident. “Top to bottom it looks really good.”
Hinsdale Central coach Bob Barber said team depth will be a strength for this group, which is key for a team that has traditionally relied on taking major points in relays. Barber also knows last year’s state champion will bring back plenty of talented swimmers.
“(Lyons has) shown they can rebuild pretty quickly,” Barber said. “We’ll see them five times throughout the year. We’re fortunate enough to have a rival that pushes us like they do.”
Jakub Rudnik is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
