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Lake Forest’s ‘unselfish’ Smith gives up spot to Rowe
Lake Forest's Daniel Smith swims as part of a 400-yard freestyle relay team at the Vernon Hills Sectional Saturday. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
Updated: March 22, 2013 10:06AM
VERNON HILLS — Daniel Smith will swim at state, but the Lake Forest sophomore won’t be competing in one of his regular events.
Smith — who qualified in the 100-yard backstroke and as part of Lake Forest’s 400 free and 200 medley relay teams at the Vernon Hills Sectional — gave up his spot in the 200 free so that teammate Colin Rowe could swim it Saturday.
Rowe delivered, making Friday’s state meet at New Trier with a third-place finish in 1 minute, 44.35 seconds. Smith swam the 50 free instead, placing sixth in 22.48 to miss the state cut of 21.91.
“I didn’t qualify (in the 50 free), but Colin’s in,” Smith said. “I did what was best for the team. I was a bit disappointed about the 50 free, but overall, it was a great day.”
Smith’s move helped Lake Forest win the sectional championship Saturday with 263 points. After posing for pictures with her team holding the sectional championship plaque, Lake Forest coach Cindy Dell praised Smith.
“When we decided to make the switch, he didn’t whine or complain. He did whatever he had to do to help the team,” Dell said. “As a coach, you pinch yourself when you’re lucky enough to have athletes that unselfish.”
Senior Peter Grumhaus advanced to state by winning the 200 free in 1:40.61. Lake Forest’s Andrew Marsh (diving) and Bogdan Balteanu (100 free) also advanced to the state meet.
