News Summary

The Hinsdale Central High School boys swimming team has set a new national record in the 200-meter medley relay at the IHSA state finals. With a record-breaking time of 1:26.75, they surpassed the previous record held by a team from Carmel, Indiana. The remarkable performance of team members Luke Vatev, Josh Bey, Henry Guo, and Matt Vatev showcased their talent and hard work. This achievement highlights the growing presence of excellence in Illinois high school swimming.

Hinsdale Celebrates New Swimming Record!

In the charming town of Hinsdale, Illinois, the local high school boys swimming team is making waves—literally! The talented squad from Hinsdale Central High School has swum into the record books, achieving a remarkable national record in the 200-meter medley relay during the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) state finals. The energy at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont was electric as they completed the event in an astonishing 1 minute, 26.75 seconds.

A New Era of Swimming Excellence

This time is not just a personal best for the Hinsdale swimmers; it has officially erased the previous record of 1:26.88 seconds held by a proud team from Carmel, Indiana. The Carmel squad included some serious heavyweights like Olympians Aaron Shackell and his fellow teammates including Sean Sullivan, Ryan Malicki, and Christopher Holmes. Breaking their record is no small feat, and it reflects the immense talent and hard work of the Hinsdale boys who showed up ready to compete.

The relay team was a well-oiled machine composed of four incredibly skilled athletes: sophomore backstroker Luke Vatev, senior breaststroker Josh Bey (who is heading to Indiana to swim), senior butterfly swimmer Henry Guo (who will be swimming at Penn), and junior freestyler Matt Vatev, who is also a future Penn swimmer. Each swimmer played a pivotal role in this record-setting event, seamlessly timing their transitions to maximize their collective speed.

The Relay Breakdown

It all began with Luke Vatev who set the tone as the opening swimmer, clocking in three-tenths of a second faster than the required record line. His stellar performance was just the beginning. As we moved on to Josh Bey, he took the lead and stretched the team’s advantage even further, making it clear that this was going to be a special day. Once it was time for Henry Guo and Matt Vatev to finish it off, they didn’t disappoint. They completed the relay with finesse, making history for their team and their school.

More Than Just a Relay

Their incredible performance didn’t just stop there. Hinsdale Central’s boys swimming team had a dominant presence throughout the competition, claiming the top seed in multiple relay events and individual contests. Josh Bey qualified impressively in the 200 IM with a time of 1:46.73 and 54.11 seconds in the 100 breaststroke, demonstrating his prowess in the pool. Luke Vatev also shone brightly, achieving outstanding individual times of 43.50 seconds in the 100 free and 46.52 seconds in the 100 back. Meanwhile, Matt Vatev showcased his skill with a fantastic time of 53.85 seconds in the 100 breaststroke, while Henry Guo led the field in the 100 fly with an impressive time of 47.15 seconds.

The Illinois Swimming Scene

It’s clear that the Illinois high school swimming scene is a powerhouse in the making. There’s a buzz in the air about the next generation of swimmers, with young athletes demonstrating not just skill, but also a commitment to improvement. With rising stars like Biko Hooper Haviland and Stuart Timmerman showcasing strong performances across various events, there is certainly much more to look forward to. The future looks bright for Hinsdale Central and the entire state of Illinois, as these young athletes continue to push boundaries and set new records!

As this record-breaking team gears up for future competitions, one thing is for sure: the excitement is just beginning, and Hinsdale will be cheering them on every stroke of the way!

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