With winter sports kicking into high gear, the Boys’ Swimming and Diving Team have historically been the final team to begin its season. Prior to their first meet, the boys have been working diligently for the past two weeks with double practices and longer hours spent in the water. Their award-winning coach, Cindy Dell, returns for yet another season coaching the swimmers alongside Assistant Coach Dave Gray, while diving coach Patrick Schulze begins his second year with the Scouts. The boys boast a combination of experienced swimmers and talented newcomers. The tone will be set by this year’s senior captains: Carlos Minetti, John Wilford, and John Torosian.

Stars to watch for this year’s squad include varsity veterans Luke Lanigan, Carlos Minetti, and Oliver Akintade. Minetti, a sprinter, will be competing at short distances while Lanigan will change his stroke for this season; last year, Lanigan competed as a sophomore swimming the 500m and has transitioned to the 100m for this winter. Some newcomers entering their first year at the varsity level include seniors Eshan Chandwani, Chris Gasche, Ryan and Evan Devine, as well as juniors Jack Clawson and Greg Damideau and sophomore Michael Janowicz. Furthermore, some freshmen will venture into varsity waters to make an impact early on in their respective high school careers. Together, the group is looking forward to a successful season bonding as teammates, and getting faster in the water.

I caught up with Varsity veteran Carlos Minetti to discuss this year’s lineup:

What are you looking forward to this season?

I’m looking forward to it being my last season which sounds bad, but motivates me more because I don’t have another shot after this. This year has to be the best one for me.

What makes swimming so unique from other sports at LFHS?

What makes swimming so unique is that there is a variety in ability. Some guys swim year-round and others haven’t since last season, and we support each other despite that variation. [We] become a band of brothers as we go through hard practices.

Who are some newcomers to keep an eye out for this year?

We’ve got a lot of kids who moved up to varsity and four freshman starting. I’ve never really seen them swim in a meet so this Thursday should be interesting.

One match-up to look forward to is on January 29th against Stevenson, the last meet of the season before conference. Their home opener is on Thursday, December 6th, against Mundelein.