Hianik, Glenbrook South prep for run to state meet

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Gleview- Ryan Hianik of Glenbrook South in the Medley relay. Boys varsity swimming pits the Titans of Glenbrook South against the Wolves of Niles West. | Joe Cyganowski ~ For Sun Times Media

Updated: February 20, 2012 9:09AM

Ryan Hianik took an unusual road to becoming one of the best swimmers at Glenbrook South.

Hianik didn’t swim competitively before high school, but he’s worked hard to find success as a senior.

A state-meet qualifier in two relays a season ago, Hianik hopes to compete in the IHSA’s Big Show again next month.

“Coach (Keith) MacDonald really helped me become what I am,” Hianik said. “I really owe it all to him. He helped me grow as a swimmer since I had no previous experience. I have fallen in love with the Glenbrook South program, and I am very happy to have been part of this.”

Hianik had a strong run during the weekend. He placed second in the 200-yard IM (2:10.26) and second in the 500 freestyle (5:14.33) in his team’s 112-74 win over Niles West on Friday. Hianik also swam on the winning 400 free relay and as part of the second-place 200 medley relay.

The following day, Hianik produced several top swims at Glenbrook South’s Titans Relays, the highlight being a first-place finish with the backstroke relay. The Titans totaled 218 points to finish second in the eight-team meet.

In his first varsity season as a junior, Hianik rose from basic team member to major contributor by the end of year, capped by swimming on the third-place 200 free relay at the state meet. He also qualified with the 200 medley relay in the preliminary round.

“My role at the beginning of last year was as big as what it ended up being,” Hianik said. “This year, I have been doing the backstroke and butterfly, and have become more of a sprint freestyler for the team. I want my focus to be on the relays for the state meet, but everything is up in the air.”

None of this seemed possible when Hianik arrived at Glenbrook South.

“Going into high school, I was focused on playing baseball in the spring,” he said. “I didn’t do anything in the fall, but I wanted to do something in the winter. We had a gym class, and I turned out to be one of the better swimmers. The teacher told me to go out for the team. I thought it would be a good idea. I would be able to meet some new guys and develop some new relationships. Swimming ended up playing one of the biggest roles in my high school career.”

While it might be a stretch for Hianik to qualify for the state meet on his own, he’s an integral part of the 200 medley relay. MacDonald believes the foursome, which also includes Thomas Pollick, Ryan Brander and Jon Salomon, could be a finalist at the state meet in Evanston.

“We have a bunch of good guys on that relay,” said Hianik, who swims the backstroke leg. “We think that relay can potentially be in the top six. That’s one of our main focuses right now.”

Glenbrook South, 1-1 in the CSL South, competes against Waukegan on Friday.