Boys Swimming: Shin brothers enjoy season together

Updated: January 31, 2012 7:25PM

The Shin brothers of Burr Ridge have at least two more meets left to remain as high school teammates for this season.

Due to their age differences, Kyler and Kedrick Shin, have not been able to spend much time together as teammates previously. That’s what made this season so special for the Hinsdale South swimmers.

The brothers belong to the Hornet Swim Club in the offseason, but have competed in different age-group teams. Kedrick, a freshman, still owns Hornet Swim Club records set in 2009 for the age 11-12 boys division in the 50-yard backstroke and 100 back.

The brothers will join the rest of their Hinsdale South teammates at the West Suburban Gold meet at 1 p.m. Saturday at Downers Grove South. The Hornets will compete in the York Sectional Feb. 18.

“Actually, it’s a very interesting experience having Kedrick on the team,” said Kyler, a junior. “It’s the first time I finally get to swim with him. I was really looking forward to it. It’s Kedrick’s first year in high school.”

The Shins are one of two sets of brothers on the Hornets, including Michael and Nathan Benedict.

Already Kedrick has become one of Hinsdale South’s top up-and-coming swimmers.

He placed fifth in the 100 back (1:00.78) at the Lyons Township Invitational Saturday in Western Springs. The Hornets (226) placed fourth in the five-team meet and were led a Nicolas Milovanovic’s runner-up finish in diving with 370.60 points. Riley Maher was third in diving (350.30).

Nathan Onchuck was the top individual swimmer for the Hornets by taking third in the 50 free (23.25). Hinsdale South earned fourth-place finishes in the 200 free by Ryan O’Toole (1:56.19) and Jason Yang in the 200 IM (2:11.30).

The Hornets’ top relay was the 200 free, placing third, with Austin Hultmark, Gunnar Wagner, Brett Maday and Onchuck (1:33.86).

Kyler Shin’s top individual showing at LT came in the 100 breast, where he established a new personal best in 1:09.65.

“It was one of my best meets of the season,” Kyler said. “The time I dropped was about a second.”

Kedrick said his practices with the Hornet Swim Club in the preseason prepared him for the varsity level.

“In high school, I’ve worked hard with weightlifting and at club practices, you do not do that too much,” Kedrick said. “It’s been a really fun experience with the other guys, too. I like traveling to the meets.”

Kedrick suspected that he had the times to make the varsity in the preseason. He hopes to swim in the 200 IM and the 100 back at the conference meet.

“With Kyler, it’s been a good experience knowing him on the team this season,” Kedrick said. “He has helped me get along and getting to know the other kids.”

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