Highland Park’s Don Davis Invite: a fun, fast meet
By bob gosman Contributor January 3, 2012 8:06PM
Jake Zuckerman competes in the 50 backstroke at the Don Davis Invite. He was the team's top point-getter. | Joe Cyganowski~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 6, 2012 8:16AM
The Highland Park boys swimming team always eagerly anticipates hosting the Don Davis Invite.
And not just because it’s a welcome respite from the grind of two-a-day winter-break practices.
The sprint pentathlon format gives each swimmer the chance to swim a variety of strokes, with the longest distance the 150-yard freestyle.
“It’s a really fun meet for everyone; pure competition,” senior Jake Zuckerman said. “It’s nice to see what you can do in strokes you never swim.”
Added coach Tim Sirois: “The kids swim the same races they did when they were 9- and 10-years old. It’s a fun, fast meet. The guys are beat-up now and it gives them something to look forward to.”
Each team’s top 12 varsity swimmers are divided into two divisions — varsity and junior varsity. Highland Park placed third in the varsity division with 459.20 points. Niles North (671) and Mundelein High School (536) were first and second, respectively.
Zuckerman placed eighth individually with a point total of 103.5. Mundelein junior standout Connor Black finished first (148 points).
Zuckerman’s standout swim was the 50 backstroke, a stroke he rarely swims. He finished fourth with a time of 26.83.
“I could tell in the water that I was moving and I ended up with a huge time drop,” he said. “It was unexpected.”
Sirois was ecstatic with the way he cut through the water.
“He looked powerful the whole way,” Sirois said. “We’ll have to see how he does with the backstroke in a couple of races.”
Meanwhile, HP senior Zach Weiner finished in 15th place, thanks in large part to a second-place showing in the 50 breaststroke (29.11).
“He’s setting himself up not just to qualify for state but do some really good things,” Sirois said.
Sirois said Zuckerman and Weiner have made noticeable strides in the last month.
“They have reached a new level in terms of their training,” he said. “They used to lose steam toward the end of the workout, but now they have a whole lot left in the tank. They’re really looking strong.”
Thanks to solid swims in the 50 backstroke and 50 breaststroke, sophomore David Kane finished 12th in the individual standings.
“He’s our most versatile swimmer,” Sirois said. “Whether it’s a sprint or a distance, he trains at a really high level. He’s a tough competitor. I can’t wait to see him swim the individual medley.”
Whatever it takes: The Giants are using a variety of training methods to improve over winter break.
Each swimmer has spent time swimming with a parachute on their back.
“Brutal, absolutely brutal,” Zuckerman said with a smile. “The pool feels four times as long as normal and you move about a quarter as fast.”
Sirois likes the way the Giants have responded.
“I’ve never been around as cohesive a group,” he said.
The Giants have also spent time in the weight room, played competitive basketball and dodge ball and ran 40-yard sprints.
“There’s been some pretty creative (methods),” Zuckerman said.
On the schedule: The Giants play host to Niles North at 5 p.m. Friday and compete Saturday at the Elk Grove Invite.
“The guys are (tired) physically but they’re strong mentally,” Sirois said. “We’re looking forward to both meets.”
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