Lemont Swimming Qualifies For IHSA Boys Swimming State Finals

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School senior swimmer Owen Ganzer has made school history, becoming just the second Lemont student athlete to advance to boys’ swimming state finals competition. The school said Ganzer won both the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle events at the IHSA Sandburg Sectional on Feb. 17 to earn a trip to the 2018 IHSA Boys’ Swimming State Finals, which will be contested at Evanston Township High School on Feb. 23-24.

According to the school, Ganzer is the first Lemont boys’ swimmer to qualify to compete in multiple state finals events in one season, and is the first Lemont swimmer to earn a state finals berth since 2007. Ganzer became the first boys’ swimmer in school history to win an event in sectional competition, capturing the 50 free in 21.85 and breaking his own school record in the 100 free in 47.70. Lemont placed fifth in the team standings.

The school said boys’ swimming became an official Lemont High School sport during the 2010-11 season. The only student to earn a state finals prior to Ganzer was Matt Krzeminski ‘08, who qualified for the IHSA State Finals in the 50 free in both 2006 and 2007. While the school did not offer a swim team at that time, Krzeminski was able to compete under the school’s name.

Ganzer helped head coach Mike Beranek’s team to a runner-up finish at the South Suburban Conference-Blue Division meet earlier this year. The school said he set school records in the 50 free, 100 free (since broke) and 200 free at the event, and was also part of two school record relay squads (200 medley, 200 free). Ganzer was the SSC champion in the 50 free and 100 free.

Photo provided by Lemont High School.