816 North boys swimming state recap: Second at state is Park Hill’s all-time best
The recognition of a potentially historic crop of talent came before Park Hill High School’s boys team swam a single lap this fall. And it shaped the way the Trojans approached the 2014 season.
It was early into the year when Park Hill coach Karl Haley set some lofty goals for the team. They centered around the Missouri championship state meet.
In order to accomplish those goals, he explained, there would need to be sacrifices made. Most notably, midseason victories.
“As much as we would have liked to have won all of our meets, that wasn’t our goal,” Haley said. “We like to say that we kept making deposits into our swim accounts so that we could make one large withdrawal at the state meet.”
A school-record withdrawal, as it turns out.
Park Hill finished second at the state meet Saturday behind only Rockhurst, which won its 11th straight championship. The Trojans’ best finish in school history totaled 172 points. Rockhurst finished with 270.
To no surprise, Marcin Glebocki was at the forefront of the Trojans’ climb up the standings. He won the 50-yard freestyle after placing second in the race last season. He was also second in the 100 freestyle Saturday.
“After he won the 50, he was very excited, but he didn’t have much to say because he was very focused on his next three events,” Haley said. “I’m sure it was very fulfilling, but Marcin is a great teammate and knew he had more work to do.”
And he did. Gleblock, Barry Chang, Danny Jones and Jered Weger combined to win the 200 freestyle relay.
Chang was another key figure in the Trojans’ second-place team finish. He took third in the 200 individual medley and third in the 100 butterfly.
Weger took sixth in the 200 freestyle.
“Barry Chang would be a great example for future Park Hill swimmers,” Haley said. “... He left the state meet disappointed as a freshman, sophomore and maybe even as a junior. I would say he dedicated himself more than any swimmer on our team over the past 12 months to make sure that he succeeded this year.”
Park Hill also placed second in the 200 medley relay and second in the 400 freestyle relay.
Staley was third in the 200 medley relay. Senior Daniel Maynard was fifth in the 200 individual medley and seventh in the 100 breaststroke. The Falcons placed 10th in the final team standings.
Park Hill South senior Ian Morgan finished eighth in the 500 freestyle. The Panthers were eighth in the 400 freestyle relay and 12th in the overall team standings.
This story was originally published November 12, 2014 at 12:52 PM with the headline "816 North boys swimming state recap: Second at state is Park Hill’s all-time best."