This past Friday, freshman Branko Kosanovich competed at the state meet for boys swim and dive. He was the only freshman from York to compete at state. After a successful season and five broken records, the York-hi spoke with Kosanovich to find out his thoughts on swimming and his first high school season.

TIY: What was your time that qualified you for state?

K: I made it for the 100 fly. The time I swam at sectionals was 52.00, good enough to go to state, and at state I went a 52.44

TIY: How was your experience at state?

K: My experience at state was awesome. I swim outside of school and attend big meets like this, but state was the best atmosphere I’ve ever been in.

TIY: When did you start swimming? How did you get involved in swimming?

K: I started swimming when I was about eight. My first team was Elmhurst Swim Team, and then I went to a different swim club called Ultimate Swimming. However, I recently moved to Westmont Swim Club. I first got involved because my sister swam and my mom made me join her.

TIY: How was your first high school season different from club season?

K: I actually preferred high school season more than club season. I was able to swim with guys I don’t swim with on my club team. This allowed to me to challenge myself with new competitors. Also, high school season introduced me to a bunch of great people and I learned a lot from them.

TIY: What was the highlight of this season?

K: The highlight of the season was at sectionals when I broke the school record for the 100 fly.  As a freshman, to break records was a huge accomplishment and I was very blessed to do so. Also, throughout the season the team as a whole broke several records.I’m happy for my teammates who broke records this year too, those guys really deserve it.

TIY: What was your most challenging moment of the season?

K: The most challenging moment of the season was either waking up everyday at five thirty or the week going into the sectionals where I was suffering from back spasms. I couldn’t practice all week. It was very nerve wracking because I was unsure if I was going to swim well, or swim at all! Luckily, it all worked out in the end.

TIY: Who inspires you during your season?

K: My coaches and teammates inspire me. We kept pushing each all year and really grew close as a team. Also, our coaches taught us to be young men of character and class both inside and outside of the pool. I’m looking forward to the years to come when my good friends and teammates Isaac and Jay can join me on the bus ride down to state.