For the past 100 years, NT has gone head to head with Evanston in an annual boys swim and dive meet. This year on Dec. 15, the Trevs completed a clean sweep of the competition against the Wildkits.

NTBSD has had such a long- lasting rivalry with ETHS, making the match significant.

“To me, it’s an opportunity to compete against a quality program,” said head coach Josh Runkle.

Senior Matt Ghiselli added, “This meet means a lot to our program and our coaches because it’s a milestone for two very historic programs in Illinois.”

The rivalry is one they still anticipate today, but it is clear the teams go so far back because of their positive turnouts and success in meets.

“Evanston and New Trier are traditionally strong programs, and being so close to each other, it makes sense,” said Runkle.

Being able to compete against the Wildkits for 100 years now has strengthened the boys and improved the team overall, the forever feud is one to be thankful for.

“ETHS has a great program, great swimmers and coaches that always give us their all which make them great competitors,” explained senior Topher Shepard.

Although the Wildkits come out strong each year, NT has taken the win home in recent meets.

“The past few years New Trier has won almost all of our meets against Evanston,” said Shepard.

Besides that fact, Evanston still puts up a strong fight.

“Evanston always competes hard and never gives up. We set the tone at the beginning of the meet and hold that throughout,” said Ghiselli

Runkle agreed, “No matter how strong or weak each team is, I think both tend to get up for this meet.”

With the high title meets (Conference/Sectional/State) coming up in February, the team uses this meet to decide what aspects need to be improved when the time comes to train.

“Our goal is to be our best in February. This will serve a s good early season test to see where we need to improve,” said Runkle.

Going into the meet, the boys prepared as they would for any other competition.

“We’re approaching this as another meet. The significance of the 100th isn’t lost on anyone, but we are looking at it as our first conference dual of the season,” said Runkle.

“We just go through our practice routine as we would normally,” said Senior Nick Torre, explaining that the nerves can’t over rule the team.

But with such a well known rivalry, NT obviously went into it craving a win.

“Beating ETHS means a lot to me because I also play water polo and last year Evanston took us out of sectionals. I would love to beat them in swimming and water polo later in the year too,” said Ghiselli.

“No matter how strong or weak each team is, I think both tend to get up for this meet,” explained Runkle.

With the win under their belt, the 100th annual meet between the two took on even more significance.

“I felt very honored to be leading New Trier to one of the most historical meets in New Trier history,” explained Shepard.

This win against the Wildkits helps propel the team going into future meets and allows them to feel a sense of pride for taking out as much as they could from the rivalry.

“The rivalry is still important because year in and year out we are two very competitive program,” added Ghiselli. “We are swimming for more than each other, we are carrying on a historic legacy.”