Despite what Head Coach Jon Robin Walker considers one of the most competitive girls state swim meets of his career, the varsity team captured three top 12 finishes at the IHSA finals on Nov. 16 and 17.
For the second year in a row, a Glenbrook North relay team earned the All-American status, which is given to the top 100 competitors in each event nationwide. Seniors Christina Park and Molly Orbon, freshman Erin Oliphant and sophomore Abigail Rosenberg earned automatic All-American status in the 200 yard medley relay with a 1:46.34 finish at sectionals on Nov. 10.
Walker said Park and Orbon’s leadership has been a big part of this season’s success.
“[Park and Orbon] are unique and have their own characteristics and skill set that they bring,” said Walker. “But they both have passion and they both care about their team above themselves.”
Park and Orbon both swam on the 9th place 200 yard medley relay, 11th place 200 yard freestyle relay and 14th place 400 freestyle relay. Orbon also earned 10th place in the 200 yard individual medley.
Although Walker considers the amount of points scored by the GBN team to be below average, he attributes those numbers to the overall competition this season. He said that he has no regrets about his athletes’ performance.
Park and Orbon explained that the senior bond and strong team dynamic was an important component to their success.
“There is a really strong bond between [the seniors] and we are all really close friends,” said Park. “We get along really well.”
In addition to success the team had at state, Walker said that re-establishing victory of the Central Suburban North League Conference was a big deal to the team. It has been three years since the swim team won this title.
The 200 yard medley relay and 400 yard free relay teams both set conference records at the Nov. 3 conference meet.
Sophomore Colleen Doolan also believes that Park and Orbon’s strong roles contributed to the team’s success. She said there have been times when Orbon puts motivational quotes in the locker room for the rest of the team.
Walker said that Park and Orbon both care about the team’s success before their individual performance and that their determination helped to keep their teammates motivated.
“[Park and Orbon] aren’t always vocal, but they will step up,” said Walker. “They can be too busy [role] modeling to talk, but no else can do what they do.”