Madison Edgewood's Chase Stevens is a good case-study in how swimmers can develop over their high school careers by finding the right events, and improving over time.
Stevens, a junior, started out as a freshman swimming mainly the sprints. He finished 18th at the Baraboo sectionals his freshman year in the 50 free, and 13th in the 100 free -- respectable for a first-year swimmer, but nothing spectacular. But then he grew, and grew some more, geared up his training, and switched to distance events.
His development over the past two years has been remarkable. The lanky swimmer -- he's one of the tallest swimmers in the Badger Conference -- made it to the D2 state meet last year in both the 200 and 500 frees, finising 8th in the 200 (1:50.86) and 5th in the 500 (4:56.36).
This year, he's already zoomed past those times, and put on a terrific showing at the D1-dominated Marquette Invitational this past weekend. Swimming in the next-to-last heat in the 200 free, Stephens ripped off a season-best 1:47.84, and ended up missing out on first place by the narrowest of margins -- .01 seconds. He then came back and swam a 4:48.55 to win the 500 free -- nearly eight seconds faster than his time last year at the state D2 meet.
For the past two years, the Madison-area D2 sectional 200 and 500 frees have been dominated by the McFarland tandem of Graham Thoresen and Brian Heiser. Look for the lanky Stephens to try to elbow his way into the top two spots -- maybe even the winner's podium -- at this year's sectional meet at Waunakee.
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