Swimming: Trevians swimmers advance on Olympic Trials

Updated: July 23, 2012 6:32AM

Reed Malone already is one of the best swimmers in Illinois.

Next week, the incoming senior at New Trier will find out where he stands in the country when he competes at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.

Malone will swim five events at CenturyLink Center. He qualified in the 100-meter freestyle, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle, 1,500 freestyle and 200 butterfly.

“I kind of have nothing to lose,” said Malone, who captured the IHSA state championship in the 200 free as a junior to help the Trevians take the team title. “I am not one of the big dogs competing for a spot. Obviously, I will try my best, but I don’t think I have a very good shot anywhere near the top two.

“But that doesn’t mean I won’t try my hardest.”

The two top swimmers in each event automatically qualify for the London Olympic Games on July 27-Aug. 12. Spots for relays also are up for grabs next week.

Classmate Jack Mangan also is heading to the qualifying meet. He will swim the 100 backstroke.

“It will be an awesome experience,” he said. “I don’t really have any expectations, I guess. I would like to swim faster than I have before.”

Recent New Trier graduates Max Grodecki, a two-time state champion as a senior, and Samantha James also will represent the Trevians. Rising senior Riley Hayward will compete, too.

College swimmers C.J. Smith (Minnesota) and Sam Metz (Cal-Berkeley) give New Trier ample representation in Omaha next week.

Malone, Mangan and Grodecki all bring big-meet experience with them to the trials. The three of them swam at the World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru, last summer.

Malone is hoping the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials aren’t his last.

“This is such a rare opportunity,” Malone said. “I am looking to have success when I am older. It’s all about timing, and this is a good starting point. Next time, I will be finishing up my junior year in college, so I will be more physically mature and have more training.

“To possibly have two opportunities is pretty cool.”

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