The Lincoln-Way West High School boys swim and dive team showcased resilience and talent during the Steve Allen Invitational, held on January 24–25.
According to the event’s results, the Warriors faced tough competition from schools across the region, delivering several standout performances that highlighted their depth and determination. Leading the charge was senior Jake McCormack, who secured first place in the highly competitive 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.03 seconds, earning 20 points for his team. McCormack also demonstrated versatility in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing fourth with a time of 55.32.
Lincoln-Way West’s relay teams also made a significant impact. The A-team, composed of McCormack, Matt Wolf, Billy Spee, and Colin Stack, clinched third place in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a finish of 1:32.28. Meanwhile, their A-team in the 200-yard medley relay delivered a commendable fifth-place performance with a time of 1:43.85.
Individually, Spee displayed his prowess in the 200-yard individual medley (IM), capturing third place with a time of 2:07.12. Tyler Stasiak and Ryan Medel contributed critical points in the challenging 500-yard freestyle by finishing 16th and 18th respectively.
The team’s depth extended to diving as well, where John Kucala placed 10th in the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 363.45, while Jack Zielinski added additional points by finishing 16th.
Lincoln-Way West’s consistent scoring across events and their ability to perform under pressure continue to position them as an emerging force in Illinois high school swimming. As the season progresses, they are poised to make waves at conference and state-level competitions.