The Evanston Township High School boys’ swim team is in the thick of their season and with Sectionals just around the corner, the Wildkits hope to gain momentum heading into the post season.
The Kits were able to do so on Dec. 18 when they took second in the Loyola-Rockford Guilford meet with 123 points. Loyola won the meet with 148 points.
Regarding that meet, junior John McBratney said, “The Rockford-Loyola meet has always been a fun meet to usher in winter break.” He added, “There were a lot of close swims, causing some very exciting races. Across the board I thought it was pretty close, and we will be looking forward to racing them again next year.”
After the holiday break, on Jan. 7, the Kits took on Central Suburban League South Conference foe Niles West and were defeated, 100-86. The next day, they participated in the 46th annual Evanston Invite and took 12th in the 18-team invite.
“The Evanston Invite as quoted by many is like the ‘in-season state meet.’ Some of the fastest teams from around the state come and compete, which is pretty exciting for us to race against,” said McBratney. “Although [we were] tired from break training, I still think we had some good races, and placing 12th amongst the top teams in state shows that we are ready to assert ourselves in the post season.”
After the Evanston Invite, on Jan. 14, the Kits beat Maine South, 102-83. Heading into the home stretch of the season, the Kits are satisfied with how the season has gone, but they know there is still work to be done. “We have put in a lot of work this season and I think all of us are ready to continue to work hard and rest for our big meets at the end of the season,” said McBratney.
James Conroy added, “I think that if we really push it going into this final stretch of the season before [the Central Suburban League varsity Conference championships on Feb. 12] and all the other big meets, we could surprise a lot of people.”
The upcoming schedule for the Kits includes home meets against New Trier on Jan. 21, Naperville North on Jan. 22 and Waukegan on Jan. 28 followed by a visit to Glenbrook South on Feb. 4.
“The upcoming meet with New Trier is going to be exciting,” said Conroy. “They are always the team to beat in the State and although it will be tough, I think we could pull off a couple upsets.”
The Kits hope their hard work and effort so far this season translates into a solid finish to the regular season and in the Evanston Sectionals in mid February.