IHA Senior Swimming Her Way Into the Record Books

Two school records, three county records and four county titles make up an impressive resume. Danielle Romain has accomplished these over her four years swimming at , with the team trying to capture its fourth straight state title this year.

Swimming is a team sport and Danielle Romain and her teammates know that it will not be an easy road ahead this season.

“Going into state rounds we have to be on our A Game every meet and hopefully make it to State Finals where we can have another shot at a State Championship,” said Romain. “Every year we go into the season with that in mind.”

It is a team effort and Romain will be looking to continue the success that she has enjoyed at IHA thus far to help the team. The 17-year-old senior from Maywood has set some records during her tenure at IHA. Romain holds the county record for the 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle, 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay. If that wasn’t enough, she also holds the IHA record for the 100 backstroke, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay.

Head coach Jason Schlereth has watched her improve over the years.

“I am extremely proud of Danielle because I know how much work she puts in on a daily basis,” said Schlereth. “She has made many sacrifices to reach these milestones.”

Romain is happy with the individual records, but the team concept and swimming for her school are just as important, if not more.

“It is just an honor to be able to swim for IHA and be part of the legacy,” said Romain. “To hold records for IHA and the county is just the icing on the cake.”

Good athletes can always improve and get better. Realizing what needs work is critical in an athlete’s growth and progress.

“Technique is something that has been my downfall in swimming ever since I started,” said Romain. “My coaches are always telling me to fix things about my stroke so that is something I feel I can always improve on every day whether at practice or meets.”

Another important aspect of any athlete and team’s success is the relationship with the head coach.

“Having Mr. Schlereth as a coach for all four years of my high school career has been amazing,” said Romain. “We have such a great swimmer-coach relationship and he understands what it is like to be a high school swimmer, high school student, club swimmer and being a teenager in general.”

Schlereth has also enjoyed coaching Romain and watching her improve and help the team reach its goals.

“It has been a true pleasure to have Danielle as a part of our team over the past four seasons,” said Schlereth. “As a swimmer, Danielle has gotten much stronger and much more versatile. She has the ability to score points in almost every event.”

When Romain is not swimming, she enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies and taking her senior year in before she heads to Purdue University next year to swim collegiately.

Romain and her teammates have had good times together and the ride is not over yet. Romain found it difficult to find her favorite moment at IHA so far, but one did stand out.

“There have been so many great moments swimming for IHA, but I would have to say winning my first State Championship freshman year with my older sister Regina as a captain,” said Romain. “This is a moment my family can always share and I will never forget it.”