Schneider seeks elusive team title
As the most decorated Fenwick swimmer ever and the most talented senior in the state, Mimi Schneider has won just about everything there is to win at the high-school level, from individual state titles to relay state championships and even a relay state record.
But her focus at this weekend’s state finals at New Trier will be on the only thing that has eluded her.
“There’s really only one thing left and that’s a team title,” Schneider said. “The individual titles are super fun, the relay titles are even better. I can’t even imagine what that team title will feel like.”
The Friars have gotten closer to winning their first state title since Schneider enrolled. Fenwick was runner-up to New Trier the past two years, coming up nine points short last season. New Trier, which is seeking its fourth consecutive crown, is the deeper team. But Fenwick is hoping its better highend talent will be enough to prevail over the Trevians and Downers Grove North.
“It’s been on everyone’s mind since November last year when we came so much closer,” Schneider said. “All of the teams are great but we’re also a great team so we’re going to have a really nice shot.”
If so, the Friars will have Schneider, a 12-time medalist, to thank. The Texas recruit is one of the most teamoriented stars in the sport.
Swimmers are allowed to swim a maximum of four events in the state series, two of which can be individual races. Schneider instead swam one individual race in each of her first three seasons in order to contribute to all three relays, which are worth double the points.
That’s why Schneider has only three individual medals, including the 2011 state title in the 100 butterfly. But in addition to being one of three individual state champions in school history, Schneider has been a part of all four of the Friars’ relay state titles.
“High school season is all about the team and it’s really just been ingrained in me and I love that part of it,” Schneider said.
Coaches love nothing more than to have their best athletes have that unselfish attitude. When it is someone of Schneider’s caliber, it makes coaching easier.
“Since she came to Fenwick, she was about being a team player and being what the team really needs and trying to raise expectations to the highest level, which is what she’s done,” said Fenwick coach Renee Miller, who has opted to have Schneider swim two relays as well as the 50 free and 100 butterfly this weekend. “So she’s been a great asset to our program.”
Regardless of whether Fenwick wins, Miller said Schneider’s legacy is secure.
“She’s just a great leader and likes to share her knowledge with the other athletes,” Miller said. “She leads by example, trains really hard and I think that encourages the other kids to raise their level and do as well as she does.”