Senior Brenden Bolman recently placed at swimming Sectionals and State.
State was held on February 28 at New Trier. Bolman competed in the 100 freestyle and the 100 blackstroke. He placed third in the backstroke and eighth in the freestyle. He swam a personal best time for the freestyle event as well.
Brenden Bolman swims for a club swimming team outside of school.
“I swim for the Cats Aquatics Group. The group I am in has about 80 people, but the team in general has around 400 people ranging from 6-21 years old, and they have a lot of coaches,” Bolman said.
This year, swimmers from North are Brenden Bolman, whose club swim team is Cats at Vernon Hills/Libertyville, and Maximilian Haubrich, who swims with Scout Aquatics at Lake Forest.
Being on different teams means they do not practice together. That would create problems had they not already been friendly competitors toward one another.
“Since we don’t have a pool, we would swim with our club teams…it stinks not practicing with each other because we have very different warm-ups at swim meets,” Haubrich said.
The teams set goals for themselves and individuals. “My goal is make State in both my events, and the team’s job and goal is to recruit more swimmers for next year,” Haubrich said
Bolman’s team had created goals as individuals and as a team.
“My goals were to win Sectionals in both my events and place top 12 at State in both my events. And though on another team, Max Haubrich wanted to qualify for State,” Bolman said.
The team also made goals for the future that will hopefully assist with their victories.
“Since my team accepts anyone who has experience with swimming, and people who want to learn to swim, we hope that they will want to try this sport. This will build the team,” Bolman said.
Being on a team has more benefits than just exercise and competition.
“I enjoy the water, and I’ve made great bonds with my teammates,” Haubrich said.
Swimming has opened college as well as scholarship doors for Bolman.
“I am going to attend Missouri State University where I am going to study Geo-Science and swim!” he said.