WILL HAYON
North

The freshman was the first boys’ swimmer from his school to win a state championship in over 50 years.

He became just the third Golden Raider to take first at state when he claimed the 50-yard freestyle Feb. 16 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).

“We came into state with high hopes, and he definitely out-performed my expectations,” North coach Deylin Steinbruecker said.
Hayon also finished fifth in the 100 butterfly in 49.37 to erase another school record of his.

Hayon led off the 200 medley relay that finished 13th and capped the 200 free relay that ended in 15th as well.

“This is a great start for a freshman,” Steinbruecker said. “I believe the last freshman who was state champion for the 50 free was in the early 2000s. That goes to show how well he’s doing and how far he’s come already in his first high school season.”

In February, Hayon broke pool, team and conference records in the 50 free and 200 medley relay.

He also set team records in the 100 fly and 200 free relay, and so far has a total of seven team records and two conference records in addition to breaking three pool records at North, one at Bay Port and another at Kiel.
“It was a really amazing month,” Steinbruecker said.