Boys Swim Team

2002-2003

 Coach - J. Deiters      Asst. Coach - C. Macola      Asst. Coach & Gator Guy - W. Martin                               

    Our season started with the Mustang Stampede at Evergreen Park High School.  The Mustangs of Morgan Park go up against the Mustangs of both Evergreen Park and St. Rita--the Chicago Public vs. the Suburban Public vs. the Parochial.  We lost to St. Rita, but finished ahead of Evergreen Park.  While it is intended to be a fun meet, the rivalry with St. Rita has become intense both on the starting blocks and then later on in water polo.  

    We handily beat Von Steuben, Lincoln Park, and Whitney Young, and then, like the girls team, we left town for a suburban meet.  We went out to Thornton--a connection there through the son of two former MP teachers.  Our neophyte swimmers had a JV team to swim against (and lose to), while our varsity pulled together to beat them 48 to 45--we saw some of the best times of the year at this meet because it was so well matched.

    On January 16, 2003, we placed 3rd in the City Relays--an excellent showing with the stiff competition of Northside College Prep and Lane, but a bit of a disappointment after winning relays for the past three years.  It is the team work across the board for an all-relay meet, requiring depth and versatility.  Cochran, McClellan, and Johnsen pulled in our only 1st place in the 3 by 50 breaststroke.  We had a 2nd in the 3 by 100 IM by Johnsen, West, and Martin, and another 2nd in the 400 freestyle relay of Martin, Johnsen, Glenn, and Cochran.  [If our last year's seniors of Edwards, Macola, and Tafoya read this, know that you guys gave us that extra edge--but we plan to work back up.]

    The only team to really put the pressure on our swimmers was Northside College Prep.  We are envious of their pool, and the size of their swim team.  While we lost this meet, Martin was able to take a first in his event, holding off one of NCP's top swimmers.

    We easily took the South Section Championship on February 11, 2003.  We had eight 1st place finishes in the eleven events and 2nd in the other three (we have no divers at Morgan Park for that twelfth event).  Cochran did a 23.11 in the 50 yard freestyle, trying to get his time down to state qualifying. 

    The Sophomore Championship was on February 13th.  Six of our seven swimmers were brand new to swimming this year.  They gave it everything they had to finish 9th.  Three years ago, we only had one swimmer at this meet!

    A week after the South Section, we went to City.  As we dropped our times, so did Lane and Northside.  We ended up 3rd again, but we were in there all the way.  Martin was 2nd in his 200 IM with 2:14.20, as was Cochran with his 23.14 for the 50 free.

    State Sectionals was new this year for all Chicago Public School teams.  We went to Sandburg to compete, finishing 9th overall.  Our 200 medley relay of Martin, Johnsen, Glenn, and Cochran  and our 400 free relay of Cochran, Martin, Johnsen, and Glenn were both in the top six, as well as Cochran with his 50 free (when you've got a good thing going, keep using it!)

    The Craig McShane Award for the outstanding swimmer went to Wally Martin at our swim banquet in March.  He also did the most lengths in 45 minutes in our swim-athon.  He, along with seniors Zeke Johnsen, Charles Powell, and Calvin Berg, will be missed next year. We have a tradition to uphold, however, and we shall continue to work to keep Morgan Park's name alive in the aquatic venues, even as we continue to believe we will some day get a new pool.

June 19, 2003 by C. Macola