Swimming downstream

McHenry's Reilly Shanahan swims the 100-yard freestyle Thursday during a dual meet against Woodstock. Shanahan won the race in 48.50 seconds. The Warriors senior also won the 50-yard freestyle in 21 seconds. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

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McHENRY – McHenry swimmer Reilly Shanahan isn’t sure why, but his times seem to improve after summer break.

“Every year I come back and I’m a little faster,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan swam two IHSA state qualifying times and led the Warriors to a 125-45 sweep against Woodstock on Thursday.

McHenry dominated the Blue Streaks, winning every event and capturing the top three spots in three events.

Shanahan swam the 50-yard freestyle in less than 22 seconds for the second time this season (21.97) and recorded his best time in the 100 freestyle at 48.50. Both times eclipsed the state qualifying standards of 22.21 in the 50 and 48.69 in the 100.

McHenry coach Craig Fowles said Shanahan’s improvement was because he’s getting stronger and working hard in practice.

“He’s twice as big as he was last year,” Fowles said. “He came right out of the box, and he’s continuing to drop times.”

Getting state times this early in the season allows Shanahan to focus on doing well at state vs. just trying to qualify. Fowles said Shanahan could drop his times significantly at sectionals and state with the proper rest and preparation.

“Right now all I’m thinking about is tapering,” Shanahan said. “I just want a good place at state.”

Although Shanahan’s time in the 50 was faster relative to the qualifying standard than his 100 time, he thinks the 100 might hold the most promise.

Most of that is because of the unpredictability of swimming the 50, where perfection is demanded, not just desirable.

“I think that’s where I have the most potential,” Shanahan said of swimming the 100 freestyle. “There’s more space to improve.”

Fowles also was impressed with sophomore swimmers Lucas Matthys and Joe Peck. Matthys won the 100 butterfly in 1:00.51 and was a member of the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams. Peck won the 200 individual medley (2:14.77) and the 500 freestyle (5:20.60).

Peck said he wasn’t a big fan of swimming the 500 and jokingly blamed his coach’s sister, Brianne Fowles, for his being labeled a distance swimmer. Peck said Brianne Fowles came to practice and immediately pegged him as right for the longest event.

Brianne Fowles’ recommendation carries some weight: She won state in the 200 and 500 freestyle in 1995.

“She told Craig so many times to put me in [the 500],” Peck said.

Peck credits Shanahan with making him a better practice and meet swimmer.

“I’m just used to swimming with Shanahan in practice,” Peck said. “He’s made me a lot better.”

Woodstock coach Ian Shanahan said he had a young team and hoped that would pay dividends in the future. The immediate impact sometimes is difficult to endure.  

“We’re really young. We have about four varsity guys who are freshmen,” Shanahan said. “Which is nice, but it’s hard.”

Also winning individual events for McHenry were Dan Brucki (200 freestyle), Kyle Braun (100 backstroke) and Dylan Clohessy (100 breaststroke).