Boys Swimming: Connor Black qualifies for Olympic Trials

Updated: March 30, 2012 8:27PM

He didn’t swim faster than Michael Phelps or Ryan Lochte.

But Mundelein’s Connor Black, representing the Libertyville/Vernon Hills-based CATS Aquatic Team, did reach one of his major goals this week in Indianapolis.

The junior came up with the swim of his life in the 100-meter butterfly prelims. His time of 54.72 qualifies him to swim in the Olympic Trials in Omaha in late June.

Despite finishing 17th overall, Black beat the Olympic Trials time (55.29) by plenty.

Black, who claimed three silver medals (50 free, 100 free, 200 medley relay) at the IHSA state meet in February, knew he was very close. His seed time was 55.31.

He can now say he went up against Phelps and Lochte, two of the U.S. stars in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Phelps finished third in the prelims. Lochte was 12th.

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