LT varsity swimmers take their mark during the blue and gold meet on Nov. 27 at the SC pool (Fouliard/LION).

Swim 25 yards across, complete 120 laps in 500-yard intervals, and then drop five seconds each interval–just to do it all over again. This makes up only half of the total distance swam by the boys swim team during a “Dirty Thirties” workout, one of the hardest swimming drills for varsity swim captain Brendan Whelton ‘24 and the rest of the boys swim team. 

After a decade of swimming, Whelton has experienced many rigorous training schedules, and has learned how to make goals for himself and the team.

“In swimming, most of our goals are individual,” Whelton said. “However, some goals that we all want to achieve are to make it to state, and to beat Hinsdale Central. Those two goals have never changed since I’ve been with the program, and from what I’ve known about LT swimming years ago. We hope that the incoming freshman can inherit these traits.”

With the loss of last year’s senior class, the former junior swimmers now fill the leadership positions from last year, head coach Erin Rodriguez said. The transition brings excitement to the roster and allows for more motivation and goals. 

“There’s always a transition into each season with a new senior class,” Rodriguez said. “That’s one of the most exciting parts of high school sports. When one class graduates, there are always boys waiting to fill in those spots. They also put in the work all fall making sure the boys team was there to support the girls team at home meets, Sectionals, and State.”

After six years of being head coach for the boys swim teams, Rodriguez works to keep drills engaging despite holding nine practices a week. This is done while maintaining an environment that promotes success and motivates both swimmers and divers, she said. 

While the swim team often receives large numbers, only a small group joins the dive team. Captain Charles Chevalier ‘24 has taken on a strong leadership role for the team this year.

“We lost a decent amount of seniors, and many of them were leaders for the team,” Chevalier said. “It’s my turn to step up as the captain of the dive team, and make sure that all the divers are involved not just with diving but with the whole team.”

With only seven to eight dive team members this year, the boys complete a specified routine, ranging from warm-up stretching, to tailored dives for each diver, and everything else in between. While the dive team’s practices vary from the swimmers, a shared aspiration between the two brings both divers and swimmers together.

“One universal goal among the team is to always try your best, whether it’s getting a personal time or a high score on your dives,” Chevalier said. “These goals don’t really change as most swimmers or divers would love to make and compete on the sectional team as well as try and earn a spot at state.”

The boys swim team has an especially rigorous training schedule, with multiple 5 a.m. morning practices a week. They also complet dryland workouts alongside their in water drills. 

The coaches are proud of what the boys have done already this year, Rodriguez said. With new leaders and more motivation, the boys swim and dive team is ready for the upcoming season with their next meet at home against Glenbard West on Jan. 18 at SC.