As the 2015-2016 varsity boys swimming season swims into full gear, the team looks forward to a bright season ahead. Swimmers wait in anticipation for the upcoming season, hoping to cut their times down from previous years, and having state medals on their minds.

The team has numerous goals for this season, but they truly want to succeed in one area of their game.

“We all have separate goals going into the season,” said junior swimmer Jack Heneghan. “All goals involve us wanting to cut time on all of our events, but the one that we all seem to have in common is breaking the school record for the 200 meter relay. We believe that we will definitely have a strong team going into Conference. We pride ourselves on working hard and expect to see that hard work pay off when it comes to conference this year.”

Sophomore varsity swimmer Michael Balcerak reiterated those points.

“The team’s goals are to be a better team and become closer as teammates,” he said. “We also want to set up a 200 medley and 200 free relay that will go to state and break the school records in both relays. The team will be very good in the Catholic conference but also do even better at sectionals. I believe we can beat Hersey and also beat Rolling Meadows again like we did last year.”

Heneghan and Balcerak feel that this upcoming season will be a successful year for the team.

“We believe that we will have a great season,” said Heneghan. “Our coach has us train harder than any other team that I know of and pushes us beyond what we think we could do. We also have drive that helps us get through these practices and has us coming back the next day.”

“We will have an awesome season this year,” said Heneghan. “We had a wonderful season last year with our coach Jamie Klotz. He has helped us do so much. He will push us to our limit and still push us past our limits to be the best. I’m very confident that we will break those relay records.

With Michael Balcerak being one of the top swimmers in state on the varsity team this year, the team collectively feels that this advantage will greatly help the team.

“One of the top athletes for swimming is Michael Balcerack” said Heneghan. “He is our best swimmer and will be the driving force behind the team this year.”

“My goals are to be placed in the top 3 at state by having a mental mindset to be the state champion, and to break more records for the school,” said Balcerak. “I’m really hoping we can break the relay records this year.

The team has players that will step up this year.

“People that will be leaders for us this year are Will McEvoy, Dante Cerrone and who else ever steps up during the year,” said Heneghan.