Remember these freshmen: Loyola`s Erik Maurer, Hinsdale Central`s Brian Gunn and St. Charles` Steve Pala. They could be the wave of the future in high school swimming.
Their first-year accomplishments have exceeded what many swimmers achieve in four seasons. All three already rank among the state`s best distance freestylers, and they`ll try to stay in the spotlight at the state meet Friday and Saturday at Hinsdale South.
”The caliber of swimming is really increasing, especially in Illinois,” said Loyola coach Tim Richardson. ”It is unusual to have three freshmen up there.”
Going into the state meet, Maurer has the second-fastest qualifying times in the 200-yard freestyle (1 minute 43.79 seconds) and the 100 freestyle
(47.83). Gunn is the third-fastest qualifier in the 500 freestyle with his 4:44.92 sectional effort. Pala qualified for the 500 in 4:50.15. Earlier this season, he posted a 4:47.39.
The big question concerning the trio is whether they`ll still be among the leaders Saturday.
”You don`t know how freshmen will react to the state meet,” said St. Charles coach Dave Bart. ”Some eat it up and react real well; that could be the fear aspect. Or they might be awed by it as well. These guys have swum in major swimming meets. They have dealt with some degree of pressure.”
Bart, whose teams have won six of the last seven state championships and whose current squad is an overwhelming favorite again, offers a reason for the trio`s success in the distance races.
”In distance, you don`t have to deal with the strength factor that the senior-dominated events have,” said Bart. ”You see seniors in the sprint events. The distance races are not as muscularly demanding as the sprint events.”
Muscle development is why Maurer got involved in swimming. ”I started swimming just to get coordination in general,” said the 6-foot-4-inch Maurer, who owns the national age-group record for 13-14-year-olds in the 100 freestyle (46.9). ”My mom and dad didn`t want me to look like a fool around the other kids. I grew up in spurts.”
Bart expects a lot from Hinsdale`s Gunn as he grows up. ”When Gunn puts it all together, that`s going to be scary as all get-out,” Bart said.
At the state meet, though, it`s unlikely Gunn or Pala will defeat St. Charles senior David Fix for the 500 title. Fix has the savvy, state meet experience and the best time of the season (4:42.39).
Fix, the state runner-up last year, won the 500 at the Waubonsie Valley sectional in 4:44.12. His sectional time ranks second behind Barrington`s Rob Owens (4:43.87).
”I hope I could beat him,” said Gunn, ”but it would take a great effort. The pressure will be there. That will get to me a little, from what I`ve heard. I`ve gone to state meets, but being in one will be totally different.”
How will Maurer, Gunn and Pala be a few years from now? Will they have the motivation?
”I don`t think that will be a problem with me,” Maurer said. ”Fourteen is pretty early. Some kids develop really early, like age 10. I really love the sport. I don`t think I`ll ever get sick of it.”
