Schools

New Trier Senior Sets Personal Best at Olympic Trials

Riley Hayward, 17, was one of the youngest competitors with the New Trier Swim Club in the 10 day Olympic trials; she competed in two events and bested her fastest time in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Incoming New Trier High School senior Riley Hayward was one of the youngest competitors at the recent U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraksa.  But that didn’t stop her from achieving a personal best time in the 200-meter breaststroke event.

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Hayward, 17, competed in the event on June 27 and achieved a time of 2:39.62.

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“That was really an achievement for me; this has been an unbelievable experience,” Hayward said.

The young woman also swam the 100-meter breaststroke, and finished it in 1:11.68.

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“I was very nervous, it was crazy being out there among all of these amazing and talented swimmers,” Hayward said. “It was a good swim through.”

She also time trialed the 100-meter backstroke, she said, “just for fun.”

“I thought it would be a great experience, and it was,” Hayward said.

Hayward has been swimming since she was a toddler, joined the New Trier Swim Club at age eight, and has been with the team ever since.

Her plans for the future definitely include the sport that she loves.

“I definitely want to swim in college, and of course going to the Olympics is always a dream; it was amazing to see these people make the Olympic team while I was at the trials,” Hayward said.

Even though she didn’t personally know many of those who will go on to represent the United States, she said there is a camaraderie that no swimmer can deny.

“We’re all on the same page; we all practice the same and many of us shoot for a goal just like this,” Hayward said.

“This was a different experience than any other meet I have ever been at, swimming with Olympians, it’s just a totally a different level,” Hayward said.

One of Hayward's New Trier Swim Club team members, will represent the United States in Honolulu, Hawaii August 23-26 after being named to the 2012 Junior Pan Pacific Championship team. 

She also travelled to the Olympic Trials with , Reed Mallone and Jack Mangan.  

of Wilmette was an other local young person who competed at the trials and is a New Trier graduate.  He competed with the University of Minnesota swim team. 

The U.S. Olympic Trials were held from June 25 until July 2 in Omaha, Nebraska. 


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