North Cook News

What does Annika Wagner like most about swimming? The ability to ponder while under the surface.

“It gives you time to think when you're all alone under water, whether that be a good thing or a bad thing,” she told the North Cook News.

The Maine South High star swimmer has been doing plenty of good things this season in the pool for the Hawks, having already broken four school records this season.

According to information provided by Hawks Head Coach Donald Kura, three of the records Wagner has set this year eclipsed marks that had stood for decades. Her best time in the 500-meter freestyle was 5 minutes, 3.56 seconds, which broke a 41-year-old record. The school's 36-year-old top mark in the 200 freestyle was surpassed when Wagner recorded a time of 1:53.86 in the event. Her 200-individual-medley time of 2:07.29 beat the best time that had stood for 30 years. For good measure, she also set a record in the 100 breaststroke by finishing in 1:06.26.

“So far, this season has been incredible,” Wagner said. “My times have been pretty good, and the experiences have been even better. I can't wait to see how our team finishes up the season.”

Wagner said she started with swimming lessons when she was very young and joined the swim team when she was 6 years old.

“My brother had already joined the swim team before I had, and seeing him being able to swim made me want to get into the sport as well,” she said.

While she began her competitive swimming career with small YMCA meets, she said, Wagner eventually made her way to NASA Wildcat Aquatics, where record-breaking became the norm for her. According to the club's website at www.teamunify.com, she holds nine club records in the 13 and 14 division in the long-course meters category, and nine records in the same division in the short-course yards category. She set all of those records this year.

Wagner took her talents national as well this year to several meets, including the NCSA Spring Championship, which was held March 15-19 in Orlando, Florida. According to swimmerstats.com, she finished 19th in the 200-meter medley, 26th in the 400-meter medley, 45th in the 100-meter breaststroke and 52nd in the 200-meter breaststroke.

“Swimming in the Spring Championship in Orlando was an amazing experience,” she said. “Your parents don't come to the meet, so it is just you, your team and your coaches. The competition there is incredible and hard to beat anywhere else.”

Wagner said the high-school season is different from club season, but the training overlaps.

“Being at NASA helps in high-school season because you know what you are doing, you know what you need to be swimming, and you know what you need to do and the times you need to achieve in order to get there, without having to be told over and over again,” she said. “Overall, you just have more experience in the sport.”