Winter sports are in full swing and the swimmers are kicking. This season, Senior Jack Boerner has been showing out for the team. So far, Boerner has set multiple personal records and shows no signs of slowing down. Boerner holds the second-fastest time in the state for the 100 freestyle (47.51) and the third-fastest time in the state for the 200-yard freestyle (1:43.20). Additionally, his 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay groups hold the first and second fastest times respectively. Boerner has improved his times significantly over his high school career. Looking back at his four years of high school, Jack considers what he has learned at Westside.
“Swimming for Westside impacted my time management,” Boerner said. “That’s a huge part that I think is one of the most important aspects of high school moving into college. Especially since I’m going to be swimming in college, I think that time management is one of the most important skills that I’ve learned from swimming in high school. It’s something that I’ll continue to use.”
Boerner believes that time management is not the only thing that has been affected. He cites a very strong bond between the swimmers and a sense of community he experienced when he entered the program. Boerner wishes to continue that welcoming attitude for students to come.
“Swimming for Westside has taught me a lot about building relationships with people,” Boerner said. “Coming into high school I hardly knew anyone on the swim team and was kind of brand new to swimming freshman year. Being able to build those relationships and see those freshmen coming in and also building those relationships with them is something I will be able to take with me.”
Boerner showcased this inviting mindset this season welcoming several new faces. Along with freshman newcomers on the team, a junior transfer from Creighton Prep was brought on. Junior Bryce Evans is in his first year as a Warrior and cites Boerner as a key figure in his integration into the team.
“It was a little tricky at first,” Evans said. “Competing in a new environment with all new people was difficult for a while. Jack and the other seniors helped me find my place on the team and ensured I was in a good spot. I think that culture we have on our team is apparent and it’s a huge part of our success.”
This fall, Boerner will be headed to swim at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. In addition to swimming, Swarthmore’s pre-med is something that he is looking into as a possible career path. As Boerner makes the next steps in his swimming career, he is more than confident that he has made the right decision for himself.
“I’m going to Swarthmore College to swim for them,” Boerner said. “I trust because the academics are really good. I’m planning on taking a pre-med route. That’s my goal for now. I’m not sure if that’s how it will pan out, but they do have a really good pre-med program. Despite it being a liberal arts school they do have a focus on pre-med tracks. I’ll also be able to swim and score points for the team as well.”
Throughout this year, and this season especially, Boerner has flourished in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle. While some of the discussion regarding what he will swim in college is still up in the air, Jack is more than ready to continue improving in his two main events.
“I think I’m going to focus on the hundred and two hundred freestyle,” Boerner said. “I was talking with the coach and she said we can either take you 200 and then maybe more distance, or we can have you do a little bit more sprinting. It’s just up to whatever you prefer and whatever you get through high school with. So I think I’m going to lean more towards 50(m), and 100(m), and 200(m) vs longer distances.”
For Boerner and the rest of the team, Westside recently hosted its annual senior night. This is a meet where all seniors are honored and thanked for their hard work over their time swimming at Westside. Boerner was one of the swimmers that was honored at Millard North at the special event.
“My favorite part of senior night was getting to hear all my friends cheer me on,” Boerner said. “It wasn’t just me, it was all of my other senior friends that I know. A lot of my Millard North friends that I swim with in the club were there, so it was kind of cool to see them get to cheer me on as well.”
Junior Will Cartwright competed in the Millard North Invitational as well. Although he was not being honored, he still felt the impact of the event.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Cartwright said. “Obviously you love to see your teammates getting honored and all of the hard work getting acknowledged. It is a little sad, however. It doesn’t matter how close you are with the seniors, I think it was a little nostalgic for everyone. Jack and the other seniors all bring a ton of leadership and energy to the team and we are all excited to see what the future holds for them.”
Almost all senior nights are held as home events. Westside’s senior night was held at Millard North as part of the Millard North Invitational. This is because Westside tore down their natatorium in order to facilitate a new construction operation, which will include a new pool.
“The atmosphere was a little bit different and a little odd compared to the three years I have seen beforehand,” Boerner said. “Especially since the spectators sat behind the glass at Millard North. It was a little strange but that’s just the setup of the pool so that’s the way it is. I was just really grateful that Millard North was able to host that for us. It would have all been missed by all the seniors.”
Although it was different for Westside, it will all pay off in the end. The previous natatorium was incredibly outdated and was in major need of a revamp. After construction is finished, it will benefit swimmers for many years to come.
“The pool was really old,” Boerner said. “It was from the 60’s so it was time for a replacement. It’s important for the rest of the community and for so many things that one other than just the high school swim team. Having this newer bigger pool with better stands and air, all of that, is going to really beneficial to everybody else. Not just the swim team.”
After many hard years of work and determination as a Warrior, Boerner felt honored to be acknowledged for the meet.
“It’s really nice,” Boerner said. “It was an honor that all of my friends were there for me and cheering me on. Especially that it’s my fourth year of high school and my time and effort into this school. To be able to be recognized and honored like that is nice.”
