VOL. XXVIII, NO. 2
OCTOBER 31, 1986
Heather continues to set records,
hopes to qualify for state meet
hopes to qualify for state meet
by Amit Joshi
Coming in below state qualifying time became a commonplace occurrence for varsity swimmer Heather Ertel '88.
Heather swam on the varsity team ever since freshman year. She qualified to swim at the junior varsity level in her first two swim meets and as her swimming skills developed, she was promoted to the varsity level after only two meets.
Heather states, "I first began swimming because it was just a thing to do and I had always liked swimming, but now I really enjoy being on the team."
"The worst thing about swimming is the long practices, but I know that without these practices, I wouldn't be able to win," continued Heather.
The swimmers practice six days out of the week for two hours a day, a total of twelve hours a week, not including the meets. Heather states, "We have long practices, but at least they aren't as bad as the practices some other teams have."
Two weeks ago Heather swam in her best meet. She had her best time of the year in the 50‑yard freestyle. Heather states, "My times in the 50 have been dropping nicely. The 50 yard freestyle is my best stroke, but my times in the 100 yard freestyle haven't dropped like I want them to. I still haven't beaten my first time in the 100."
Coming in below state qualifying time became a commonplace occurrence for varsity swimmer Heather Ertel '88.
Heather swam on the varsity team ever since freshman year. She qualified to swim at the junior varsity level in her first two swim meets and as her swimming skills developed, she was promoted to the varsity level after only two meets.
Heather states, "I first began swimming because it was just a thing to do and I had always liked swimming, but now I really enjoy being on the team."
"The worst thing about swimming is the long practices, but I know that without these practices, I wouldn't be able to win," continued Heather.
The swimmers practice six days out of the week for two hours a day, a total of twelve hours a week, not including the meets. Heather states, "We have long practices, but at least they aren't as bad as the practices some other teams have."
Two weeks ago Heather swam in her best meet. She had her best time of the year in the 50‑yard freestyle. Heather states, "My times in the 50 have been dropping nicely. The 50 yard freestyle is my best stroke, but my times in the 100 yard freestyle haven't dropped like I want them to. I still haven't beaten my first time in the 100."
Heather has not set any specific goals except for reaching the state meet. The Varsity's best swimmer states, "I try to take one meet at a time so I don't have any specific goals that I want to achieve."
The toughest meets for me were against Deerfield, Glenbrook South, and Waukegan West,'' states Ertel. She feels that those schools have very good swimming programs and thus offer a great challenge to the swimmers.
Heather has not confined herself to just participating in swimming, she also plays basketball and she participates in track.
Head Coach Carle has nothing but praise for Heather. Coach Carle states, "Heather is an excellent swimmer." The Coach explained, "Heather comes close to or breaks any record in any event that I put her in. As a matter of fact, she has broken the record five times this season in her best stroke, the 50 freestyle."
Although Heather has finished below state qualifying time, it does not guarantee her a trip to state. To reach state competition a swimmer must swim state qualifying time at the sectional meet.
"Overall," states Coach Carle, "Heather has been a great influence on the team because she gives pride to the other swimmers in what they do."
Coach Carle concludes, "There is no reason for Heather not to qualify for state except for her coming down with the flu or something like that. She also might have a bad day and that could be disastrous, however I think she will qualify."
The toughest meets for me were against Deerfield, Glenbrook South, and Waukegan West,'' states Ertel. She feels that those schools have very good swimming programs and thus offer a great challenge to the swimmers.
Heather has not confined herself to just participating in swimming, she also plays basketball and she participates in track.
Head Coach Carle has nothing but praise for Heather. Coach Carle states, "Heather is an excellent swimmer." The Coach explained, "Heather comes close to or breaks any record in any event that I put her in. As a matter of fact, she has broken the record five times this season in her best stroke, the 50 freestyle."
Although Heather has finished below state qualifying time, it does not guarantee her a trip to state. To reach state competition a swimmer must swim state qualifying time at the sectional meet.
"Overall," states Coach Carle, "Heather has been a great influence on the team because she gives pride to the other swimmers in what they do."
Coach Carle concludes, "There is no reason for Heather not to qualify for state except for her coming down with the flu or something like that. She also might have a bad day and that could be disastrous, however I think she will qualify."
