More to come

Cary-Grove sophomore Michael Hamann is the Northwest Herald Boys Swimmer of the Year after placing 11th in the 100-yard backstroke and qualifying in the 200 individual medley at the IHSA State Finals. (Amanda Schwengel - aschwengel@nwherald.com)

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Cary-Grove sophomore Michael Hamann has accomplished some great things in the pool, but the best may be to come.

Hamann placed 11th in the 100-yard backstroke at the IHSA State Finals in boys swimming and also qualified in the 200 individual medley. Trojans coach Jim Andriakos said the potential for Hamann is extremely high.

“He’s by far ahead of anybody I’ve ever coached,” Andriakos said. “He’s getting stronger, but he’s by no means mature yet. I could easily see him pushing for top three at state and actually have a shot at winning state.”

For his accomplishments, Hamann is the Northwest Herald Boys Swimmer of the Year. Also given strong consideration was Jacobs/Dundee-Crown Coop’s Alex Elston who placed 12th at state in the 100 butterfly, qualified in the 50 freestyle and was a member of the state qualifying 200 medley relay team.

Andriakos’ praise was noteworthy considering in 2009 he coached Brent Curtis, who was fourth in the 100 freestyle and 12th in the 100 breaststroke, in addition to Michael Kinross, who was 12th in the 100 butterfly and qualified in the IM.

“When we look at [Hamann’s] times and abilities, he’s almost the perfect combination of Curtis and Kinross,” Andriakos said.

“He’s got the drive of Curtis and the leadership potential of Kinross and the potential to be better than both,” Andriakos said.

Hamann’s goals are bigger than IHSA competitions. He hopes to qualify for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials next summer. Last summer, he was about four seconds off the qualifying time in the backstroke.

“It’s definitely a long-term goal for me. I’m hoping this summer to get real close, if not get it,” Hamann said. “It’d be great to go as a high schooler to the tryouts.”

The difference between qualifying and not is typically the result of excelling in the fundamentals. Hamann said what he needs to work on during the offseason is getting the most out of his starts and turns when he is below the surface.

“I’m hoping to work on my underwaters a lot,” Hamann said. “The race is won on the little techniques.”

Andriakos said he tries to schedule tough meets, particularly weekend invitationals. As a freshman, Andriakos said Hamann did not believe he was capable of competing against the better swimmers in the state.

“We try and put him against the best competition out there,” Andriakos said. “He’s learned he’s just as good as they are.”

Even with his accomplishments and potential, Hamann is a team player. Although he did well at state, he said he was disappointed that he was the only representative from his Cary-Grove team.

“He’s a phenomenal kid. He’s definitely a team player,” Andriakos said. “That’s all he talked about at state, that he couldn’t help his teammates get to state.”