Senior swimmer ended school’s title drought
Sixteen years.
That is how far back you would have to go to find the last state swimming champion from West Bend East before Bryan Fitzgerald snapped that drought Saturday. The senior won the 200yard individual medley title at the WIAA Division 1 meet at UW Natatorium and later took second in the 500 freestyle.
West Bend has had a co-op team in recent years, but the champions during that time have all come from West Bend West.
For Fitzgerald, the state championship capped a four-year run at state that started with him swimming in the 500 freestyle and 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays as a freshman. Over the next three years, he worked his way up from a 16th place finish in the 500 as a freshman to an eighth-place showing in the 500 and a 12th-place finish in the 200 IM as a sophomore and a third-place finish in both events as a junior.
At the completion of his final high school meet, Fitzgerald spent a couple of minutes reflecting on his accomplishments and his hopes for the future.
Q: What is it like to reach such a lofty goal?
A: It’s kind of a realization of all the years of work I’ve put in and every coach that has had a chance to guide me. It really is a good thing for the program because it shows that if you stay in the program long enough, good things will happen. And really buying into everything is how you get to this place.
Q: Where did you make your move in the 200 IM and did you ever feel in control of the race?
A: I think it was the last 25 because honestly the only advantage I had coming into that race is toughness. I don’t think toughness is an individual characteristic. You can’t just work on toughness by yourself. Toughness is a product of your school, your parents and the environment around you in your swim program. I think my advantage was the guys I had behind me.
Q: In a big meet like this, how do you relax and get yourself ready to compete?
A: Normally the day before the meet I hang with the guys and they keep me (relaxed). They try to keep things light for me. And when I get behind the blocks the important thing is to keep breathing, focus on your race and picture what you’re going to do and then go do it. If you breathe in and breathe out, you won’t think about the bad stuff and you won’t get anxious.
Q: You have to swim every stroke in the individual medley. Which is your best?
A: Honestly after today I’d say my best stroke is the turn, which is a weird choice, but the turns are really where I (won the race). I think working on the turns and all the little technique things is how you get there.
Q: What are your college plans? A: I am going to be swimming in college. I’ve been looking at a couple of very talented programs and I’ve been talking to a lot of coaches. I’m looking forward to swimming in college because I think college coaches are very smart individuals and I’m excited to get to work with them.