New Trier won the Illinois Boys Swimming title for the 24th time at Evanston Township High School on Feb. 24.

Before the last event, the 400 relay, Lyons Township was in first place, then Charlie Scheinfeld, Ryan Gridley, Patrick Gridley, and Ean Vandergraaf won the 400 free relay.

It was the team’s first title since 2013, after coming in 3rd place in last year’s state meet and fifth in the two years prior.

Boys Swimming Head Coach, Joshua Runkle, said that the goal for his team was to do well on Friday to put themselves in a good position to win the title.

Senior Ryan Gridley said the team tapered for two weeks to avoid soreness and also shaved their heads in preparation for the state meet.

“Over the course of the season we have different phases of training and each phase’s goal is to help you set up for state,” said Scheinfeld.

Senior Tommy Hackley said the team had to prepare as much mentally as they did physically.

“We also needed to be conscious about eating healthy and getting a lot of sleep.”

“Our goal was to win the state championship. That’s been in our eyes since freshman year, when we realized we had a pretty strong class,” said Gridley.

Hackley said he wanted to get as many points for the team as he could so that he could add to the team scores. Throughout the season he and his teammates worked hard in both the weight-room and the pool to reach the ultimate goal.

“When you add it all up, the outcome is worth it.”

Some highlights of the meet include Scheinfeld winning the 200 individual medley (1:49.42), and the 100 breaststroke (53.72).

Additionally Patrick Gridley came in second-place in the 100 backstroke (49.08) and fifth in the 200 individual medley (1:51.01).

Ryan Gridley finished second in the 100 free (45.12), and New Trier won 1st place in the 200 yard medley relay, Patrick Gridley, Charlie Scheinfeld, Ryan Gridley, and Pearce Bailey.

The team finished fifth in the 200 free relay (1:24.41).

Scheinfeld became the third swimmer to win the 100 yard breaststroke three times at the state finals with a time of (53.72.) He will be swimming at the University of Texas next year.

“The whole team performed really well all weekend,” said Runkle.

Senior Patrick Gridley said that they have been preparing for the state meet since the start of the season. The team worked hard to “create a strong sense of community so everyone enjoys the sport and trusts each other. Once you have that, with a bunch of other guys, you can work together to do anything.”

Patrick Gridley said swimmers had to stay focused because Lyons Township had a “super strong team” as well. New Trier finished with 161 points, Lyons Township came in second with 150.5.

The standings at the state finals were: New Trier (161), followed up by Lyons Township (150.5), Hinsdale Central (116.5), St. Ignatius (107), and Stevenson (78).

Runkle said “next year will be a transition, we will be losing a lot of very talented kids and good people.” He also said “we will have a pretty strong group coming back.” Runkle named Nick Torre, Tucker Shepherd, and Pearce Bailey as his team’s primary leaders for next season.

“Swimming for New Trier is awesome because you get to represent the school and the community. It gives you a sense of camaraderie with your teammates. You’re all competing for a common goal,” said Ryan Gridley. He hopes to have the same team dynamic next year at Northwestern University.

Patrick Gridley was happy to end his high school career on such a high note. “To be able to end my high school career winning state gives me a ton of satisfaction. Knowing my four years of hard work showed, that will be remembered.”

“I’m pretty sad that it’s all over but I’m also very happy that I was able to make the friends and memories that I did. I am proud to represent New Trier swimming, and I will always remember all the fun times I had,” said Hackley.