The Maine West varsity swim team has placed in the State finals for the first time in the team's existence. Maine placed twelfth out of a field of 34 in the State meet, which was held Saturday, February 25, at Evanston.

Maine swimmers won the right to participate in the State finals through their showing at the District finals held at Niles West. Maine tankers qualified for the State finals in three events. These events were the 400‑yard freestyle relay, in which Maine placed second at the District meet, the 50‑yard freestyle, in which Grant Wenzel '67 placed fourth, and the 100‑yard backstroke.

Four Warrior tankers participated in the State finals. They were Chris Olander '69, Marc Bonnivier '67, Dan Brinkman '69, and Grant Wenzel '67. Wenzel and Olander also swam in two other events but did not place. Wenzel swam in the 50‑yard freestyle and Olander in the 100‑yard backstroke.

The 400‑yard freestyle relay team, however, did place twelfth in the finals giving Maine two points and thus qualifying Maine West's entry in the record book as placing in the meet.

Coach George Jorndt, who helped take over the coaching of the varsity swim team when Coach Harold Baer entered the hospital, stated, "We hope that this relay team will start a tradition at Maine West of regular participation in the State meet."

Coach Jorndt also expressed optimism about next year's varsity swim team. The returning lettermen on next year's swim team will be Chris Olander '69, Jim Greenwald '68, Dan Brinkman '68, Tim Hinde '68, and Mike Teegen '68. These experienced tankers will be assisted by a promising group of sophomores, who are moving into the varsity team next year.