Boys Swimming: Lyons Township’s Shannon seeks return trip to state meet
By GEORGE M. WILCOX gwilcox@pioneerlocal.com January 23, 2012 8:32PM
Lyons Township's Joe Shannon swims breaststroke in the 200-yard medley. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:32AM
Lyons Township swimmer Joe Shannon reached the state meet for the first time last season, but earning a return trip may prove more difficult.
The junior competed at State as a member of the 200-yard medley relay squad, along with senior Danny McGuinness, and graduates Ryan Schafer and James Wing. But Shannon admits that LT has not found the right combination in order for the relay to once again make State.
“Now, our relays — especially the medley — are not as strong,” Shannon said.
Shannon, a La Grange Park resident, has turned his focus to the 100 breaststroke. That stroke helped LT finish 14th in last year’s 200 medley relay at State, but Shannon was not in top condition for the event, as he’d suffered from a bout of mononucleosis late in the regular season. But he was able to make enough of a recovery to qualify for the state meet.
“In the relay, I had super teammates who made up for (being weaker),” Shannon said.
Time still remains, but not much in order for Shannon to gain a bid to this year’s state meet.
Lyons Township hosts its own five-team invitational at 11 a.m. Saturday, along with Oak Park-River Forest, Hinsdale South, Marmion and York. The Lions’ next major meet is the regular season-ending West Suburban Conference Silver conference meet at Downers Grove North, set for 1 p.m. Feb. 4.
The conference meet features only varsity swimmers, while the Lyons Invitational focuses on swimmers of all levels.
“We make sure the younger guys get to participate,” Shannon said. “Everyone gets up for that swim meet.”
The State-qualifying mark for the 100 breaststroke is 1:01.28, but Shannon has been finishing it in the 1:04 range.
“I’m trying to get Downstate in it,” Shannon said. “Now I’ll see how hard it is to peak, and see how it goes.”
The Lions will compete in the Fenwick Sectional on Feb. 18.
McGuinness is LT’s top candidate to return to the state meet in the 100 free. He finished 38th in that event in last year’s state meet. McGuinness also appeared in the 200 free at State.
Shannon believed this season would be a rebuilding year.
“Coming into the season, we were skeptical about it. We knew we were not strong in the upper class,” he said. “Our sophomores have improved, and there is even talent among our freshmen. We’re looking to do some big things next year.”
Shannon is starting to work on a second individual event, the 200 freestyle, in which he hopes to qualify for State as a senior.
“I’m new to it, with coach (Scott) Walker walking me through it,” Shannon said. “Next year, I hope I can get the 200 free and make State in it. Dreams are dreams.”
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