North's Landry punches ticket to state meet

Jamie Landry isn't a veteran of sectional swim meets. So the Grayslake North junior took nothing for granted.

Landry -- who owned the No. 1 seed in the 100-yard backstroke -- delivered a personal-best time of 54.65 seconds on Saturday, claiming a Vernon Hills Sectional title and punching his ticket to the state meet.

"There was some pressure, because you can't always go with what's on the heat sheet," said Landry, whose 54.69 was the top seed by about two seconds. "You have no idea what the other guys are doing until the day of the meet."

Brian Brown, who coaches Landry at Cats Aquatics in Vernon Hills, echoed those sentiments.

"I knew he was the top seed, but I tried to take the underdog attitude," Brown said. "I told him, 'Nothing's going to be handed to you.' "

Landry realized he was in a dogfight during the first 50 yards. Heading into the wall, he trailed Libertyville senior Will Mullane.

"I could've been out faster in the first 50," Landry admitted. "But I brought it back real hard. I was able to see the competition, and I knew I should've been faster than them."

Mullane settled for second in 55.54, meaning Landry was the only state qualifier in this event.

"(A sectional title) is pretty exciting, especially being the only one from your school," Landry said. "Grayslake North is a new school, so I get to be the first sectional champ and state qualifier."

Landry, who also placed fifth in the 200 individual medley (2:04.09), has been a backstroker his entire career.

"He's just a natural at it," Brown said. "He has a real good feel for the water. There are still a few things we need to work on. His turns need to be a little stronger."

As the No. 32 seed (based on sectional times), Landry figures to be the underdog in Friday's IHSA state prelims at New Trier.

"I've never been to a state competition, so we'll see how it goes," Landry said. "I have nothing to lose."

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