Boys Swimming: Austin Hultmark looking to make mark for Hinsdale South

Updated: January 24, 2012 7:10PM

This weekend’s Lyons Township Invitational will be Hinsdale South’s fourth major meet in as many weeks. But for swimmers such as Austin Hultmark, all of it is preparation for the next couple when it’s make or break time to end the season.

Hultmark, a junior from Darien, closed the gap toward a state-meet berth a little more Saturday with a career-best time in the 100-yard backstroke at the Lockport Invitational.

Hultmark will attempt to cut his time even more at 11 a.m. Saturday when the Hornets compete at the five-team Lyons Township Invite in Western Springs. Marmion is favored to win the title at that meet.

“It was a really good meet (at Lockport),” Hultmark said. “I was clocked under a minute and broke my personal best. It’s a big milestone for me. A lot of swimming is mental.”

He swam the 100 back in 59.7 seconds. The state qualifying mark is 54.42.

In Hinsdale South’s College Events meet Jan. 7, Hultmark was sixth in the 200 backstroke, just two spots behind freshman teammate Jason Yang. Hultmark combined with Nathan Onchuck, Anthony Arito and Brett Maday to place sixth in the 200 freestyle relay.

The 200 free relay is the only relay where Hultmark is a definite member. His teammates on the relay usually include Onchuck, Maday and Gunnar Wagner. Hultmark is a part-time member of the 200 medley relay with Mike Benedict, Onchuck and another teammate on a rotating basis.

The Hornets will compete in the West Suburban Conference Gold Division meet Feb. 4 at Downers Grove South and Hinsdale South was assigned to the York Sectional Feb. 18.

Since Hultmark still has time to drop in the 100 back, his best bet to reach the state meet could be in the 200 free relay.

“I’m working mainly on our 200 free relay,” Hultmark said. “That’s our main event. I’d say that’s our focus.”

Hultmark said new assistant coach Alex Fraser, a former Hornets swimmer, has returned to the program beginning this season and has helped add video training to the team’s workouts. Fraser uses the camera on his phone at practices and then compares strokes between swimmers to show proper techniques.

“He’ll show you different things and then you see it,” Hultmark said. “He’ll show you what’s wrong and then compare the two.”

Hultmark also competes in the 50 free, but doesn’t expect to make a state-meet bid in that event.

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