Neuqua Valley swimming and diving has seen unbelievable success in its 25 years as a program. Let’s dive into it in these Fast Facts, presented by BMO Harris Bank.
Despite being a program for less than 25 years, Neuqua Valley boys swimming and diving has become one of the most decorated in the state since its first varsity season in 1999.
Neuqua Valley Swimming
The Wildcats have 11 top ten finishes and six state trophies in total. A 4th place in 2006, 3rd in 2007, three state runner up trophies in 2009, 2010 and 2019. It all culminated for the program with a state championship victory in 2008.
NV earned those trophies behind to the efforts of great relay teams and outstanding individual performances. Neuqua has 16 state first place medals in swimming and one in diving thanks to Aaron Leach in 2004.
Winning a state championship medal in Illinois is no easy feat; just look at the fact that 2016 Olympic gold medalist Kevin Cordes only won two first place medals. The 100-yard breaststroke in 2009 and as a member of the 200-medley relay in 2010.
Despite the daunting competition, a few Wildcats have made it look easy. 2008 graduate Brian Alden holds the school record with 7 individual state titles, three-peating as state champ in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle from 06-08.
Connor Boyle
After being a part of the 2019 state champion 200 and 400 free relay teams, Connor Boyle won both the 50 and 100 freestyle at the 2020 state meet, moving past Kevin Overholt for the second most individual medals in school history. Grant Betulius and Jimmy Senese are the only other Wildcats with multiple first place medals.
The cancellation of the 2021 meet prevents Boyle from attempting to catch Alden’s mark of seven.
However the senior does hold the school record in both the 50 and 100 free.
And with swimmers and divers now back in the pool for the regular season, current Wildcat individual champions like Boyle and Jimmy Senese along with state qualifiers like Alex Dunn and Ryan Doerrer will still have to chance to leave their marks on the Neuqua Valley record boards.
