Will Hayon wins rare state swim title

by Dave Boehler
Beacon Sports Editor

North freshman Will Hayon did something Saturday that hasn’t been done at his school in over 50 years: win a state championship in boys swimming.

Hayon became just the third Golden Raider to take first at state when he claimed the 50-yard freestyle at the University of Wisconsin Natatorium in Madison.

The only other North boys to win state were Rob Selinger in the 200 individual medley in 1967 and John Koehn in the 100 butterfly in ’66.

“I was really happy with how I did, because I really didn’t expect myself to win either of my events,” Hayon said. “I was kind of shocked I won the event that I wasn’t seeded top three in. It was a really cool experience.”

Hayon’s winning time in the 50 free was 20.76 seconds, which broke his previous school record he set earlier this year, as he edged out Franklin senior James Kostrzewa (20.82).

“That was the one I wasn’t expecting to take,” Hayon said. “I did not think I was going to win that. I wasn’t seeded as high as the 100 fly, so I thought I’d do better in the 100 fly. But when I dove in, it just felt really good.”

Hayon says on his flip turn in Lane 1, he looked as he was underwater and saw he was in the lead.

“I was like, ‘oh crap,’” Hayon said. “I just started going really hard and then when I hit the wall, I didn’t want to look at first … Then I looked and I saw that I won. I was really happy.”

In the 100 fly, Hayon ended fifth in 49.37 to erase another school record of his. The top three finishers were seniors and a junior placed fourth. Teammate Andrew Leal, a senior, took 23rd (54.26).

“That was the event I was hoping to win, but the four guys that beat me were really good and they all had really good times,” Hayon said. “And winning the 50 free, all I was hoping for was to get under 50 seconds and I did, so I was pretty happy with that.”

Hayon also led off the 200 medley relay that finished 13th (1:38.78) and was joined by senior Charles Broghammer, Leal and sophomore Connor Cleveland.

The 200 free relay of juniors Patrick Fisher and Jackson Pond, Cleveland and Hayon ended in 15th (1:29.88).

North finished the meet in 18th place.

Kovacic finishes eighth: South took 30th place, as the Redwings got their 11 points from senior diver Brock Kovacic after he finished in eighth place with 370.20 points. Last year, he took 11th (356.70).