As sectionals and state meets approach, the varsity boys swimmers are quick to remind themselves of how much time and effort has gone into their preparation. Last season, the team was predicted to win the state meet by 40 points, but failed to meet those expectations. However, it helped build chemistry, confidence, motivation and skill. This year’s team aspires to bring home a state trophy.

“Last year we went into state seated first and blew it,” varsity swimmer Matt Linden ‘17 said. “Being seated so high and favored to win by 40 points, it was the first time people started to hear our name and fear it. Sectionals and state served as a great learning experience, which will be very helpful going back this year.”

Practicing 10 times a week, before and after school, and exercising in and out of the pool has given this team a great foundation and allows teammates to compete against and push one another.

“This year’s team was more prepared coming into the season than last years team,” varsity boys swim Coach Scott Walker said. “They also have a better vision of what they are capable of, along with more experience.”

The last time LT had a solid state swim team was in 2009, varsity swimmer Chris Phillips ‘16 said. Over the last couple years LT swim started to step it up, which caught the attention of other schools.

“Our team has enough sprinters to fill two relays that could be top 10 in the state, unfortunately, you can only take one,” Phillips said. “Having the depth that we have gives us an edge other programs lack, because they don’t have the amount of swimmers that we have who can compete at a high level.”

While most teams go all out in training just before the sectional and state meets, LT swimmers rest, giving them more energy and time to recover Linden said.

“Before state we try not to stress and over think it,” Linden said. “We know that we train harder than any other team in the state, and when the time comes, we know that we are going to swim faster and better than any of the other teams there.”

Having seen many swimmers of different skill levels throughout his career, Walker said he believes this is possibly the most talented and humble group of guys he has coached.

“I always remind them of the importance of being a team, that every single person regardless of their ability has a major impact on the team,” Walker said.

Starting competitive club swimming at an early age has given many swimmers the edge over their opponents Linden said.

“This year’s team has been training together since the time we were about 8 years old,” Linden said. “Many don’t take swimming seriously until they get to high school, but after swimming club leading up to high school has given this team the edge because of our chemistry.”

Hinsdale Central and Naperville Central are the most anticipated matches this year. Additionally, there are a couple of new rivalries in the state and sectional meets such as Peoria Notre Dame, said Walker.

“This might be the first year where I will rest a group of guys for the state meet” Walker said. “We have several kids who can go a state cut in practice, which is almost unheard of, and these guys will be well rested heading into sectionals and or state so we will be ready to pop.”