The boys dive team makes a splash into their new 2024-2025 season with two returning members, seniors Josh and Simon Back, and four new members, junior Philip Swartout, and freshman Alex Lawnizcak, Ben FlorJancic, and James Makins.
The Back twins have worked on promoting the team on Instagram, making it known that LFHS has a dive team and anyone can join which has sparked interest in the program.
Captains Josh and Simon Back kicked off their senior season at the Niles West Invitational on Saturday. Josh placed third with a score of 381.95, and Simon followed closely, placing fourth with a score of 378.25. It’s just the start for the brothers and they are hoping to make their last season their best yet.
“I am excited to get to do flips everyday and learn new tricks on the ground and off the board, ” senior Josh Back said.
Not only do the divers flip into the water, but they learn how to tumble on the floor as well which makes the sport very unique and adds extra dimension to their training.
Coach Alex Glassman is very invested in what the new team has to bring, particularly with the addition of new talent.
“I’m excited to go into this season with some new faces on the dive team. We’ve had a fairly consistent few divers here since I started, but this year, bringing on new divers and hopefully more will be exciting for everyone,” Glassman said. “I’m also excited to see any improvements the returning divers make this year.”
Philip Swartout and Alex Lawnizcak were guaranteed to join the team and after open boards. Ben FlorJancic and James Makins wanted to join as well after hearing about it.
The team went from having only two members to six which means more people to cheer on and more inspiration for each other during practices and while competing. Since the Back brothers are graduating this year, it’s exciting that there are 3 new freshmen on the team so they could carry on the team’s legacy.
“I’m really excited to see who joins diving and to practice our dives in the gymnastics gym because it’s always cool to learn tricks in two different ways,” senior Simon Back said.
Come watch the boys’ dive team’s home opener against Libertyville on Thursday, December 12, at 5:00 P.M. They hope to see you there!
