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March 14, 2022

Huntley swimmers Ben Rocks, left and Gavin Heard, qualified for the IHSA Boys State Swim Meet. Rocks, a junior, swam in the 100 and 200 freestyle events. Heard won four championships in the Athletes With Disabilities Division. photo submitted
Steve Peterson
Huntley swimmers Ben Rocks, left and Gavin Heard, qualified for the IHSA Boys State Swim Meet. Rocks, a junior, swam in the 100 and 200 freestyle events. Heard won four championships in the Athletes With Disabilities Division. photo submitted

Sports • March 14, 2022

Swimmer Heard recalls one special Saturday

By

HUNTLEY – Six years after Gavin Heard initially tried swimming, the Huntley High School senior enjoyed a special Saturday.

He was crowned champion in four events at the IHSA Athletes With Disabilities (AWD) State Meet.

One by one, from the 200 freestyle, followed by 50 freestyle, then the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke, Heard captured the gold medal in Westmont. Heard, who is legally blind, has been a swimmer since he was 11.

A few weeks since his big day, Heard recalled how it all took place.

“My first event was the 200 freestyle, which is one of my toughest events,” Heard said.

“After winning this event, I felt relieved. This win allowed me to calm down and relax before my next event. My second event was the 50 freestyle and after winning the 200 freestyle I felt more confident but was still very nervous. I won the event by only ,10 seconds. By the time the third event started I was feeling more confident and it was my favorite, the 100 freestyle. Waiting for the starting whistle I turned on my mental blinders, got into my zone and won the race. The 100 breaststroke is my least favorite event and was my fourth and final race of the day. After my first three wins, I felt strong and I believed that I could win.

Heard beat out nine or 10 other AWD entrants in the events with the following times: 200 freestyle, 2:08.48; 50 freestyle, 26.44 seconds; 100 freestyle, 55.32 and 100 breaststroke, 1:11.04. Heard qualified for the state meet at the sectional meet.

“I chose swimming because in other sports I could not see any balls or anything coming at me because of my disability. I love the sport and felt passionate about pursuing swimming as my sport.”

“Gavin wanted to focus on technique and dropping time,” Red Raiders boys swim coach Jenna Gaudio said, “The pressure and atmosphere at state is different than any other meet,

but overall Gavin did really well.”

“His teammates have been so supportive and so has HHS,” Gaudio said. “We had a lot of people rooting for Gavin and it was fun to see him swim in the state meet.”