La Salle-Peru, Ottawa swimmers trying to stay positive, stay in shape

In late November, the IHSA announced what it hoped would be a short-term pause of all sports and activities just as winter sports were starting up.

That pause is still ongoing, which has been tough for members of the La Salle-Peru boys swimming co-op who hoped to be in the pool by now.

“Honestly, I think the word is devastated,” said L-P junior Luke Mertes, who qualified for state last season in the 200-yard individual medley and the 200 medley relay. “I’ve been talking to everybody on the team, and we’re all really disappointed the state wasn’t able to allow us this.

“I was excited to get back and try for state.”

Although the swimmers are disappointed the season has not started, they’re hopeful they will eventually get a season this school year.

“It’s definitely not ideal,” said Ottawa junior Joe Ovanic, a state qualifier in two individual events and the 200 medley relay last winter. “It’s frustrating for sure, but I’m just trying to have a positive attitude about it all. Being away from it for so long, I’m so hyped and ready to come back to it. I may not be ready physically, but I’m ready mentally.

“(To stay positive) I think about last year and the season before and how good we swam. I’m just thinking that we can still build off that.

“It’s all about the mindset.”

L-P co-op coach Rob McNally, who said he also remains positive there will be a season, has tried to keep his swimmers’ spirits up with regular team Zoom meetings.

“Getting to see my teammates, my friends and my coaches, I know it’s not the same, but it’s something, and that’s better than nothing.”

—  Cavalier Co-Op swimmer Joe Ovanic

“Initially, I started the Zoom meetings because I wanted to make sure the kids had another avenue to talk about things,” McNally said. “I wanted to make sure I did everything I could on my part to check on their well-being. It was about what’s going on in their lives and how this was affecting them. At the first meeting, I asked them what as the worst thing about this and what was the best thing about this. The answer I got from most of them (for the worst) was they couldn’t get together as a team.

“Lately, it’s been more about making sure the kids understand they need to keep their focus, keep their heads up and know there’s going to be a season and try to think positive thoughts about it. I’m just trying to keep their spirits up.”

Ovanic said he has found the team Zoom meetings to be helpful.

“For me personally, it’s helped a lot,” Ovanic said. “More than people think. Getting to see my teammates, my friends and my coaches, I know it’s not the same, but it’s something, and that’s better than nothing. It makes me feel (McNally) cares enough to try to still make contact with us.”

Along with trying to keep his athletes’ spirits up, McNally has sent out general workouts for the swimmers to do if they’re able to get in the pool, and if not, he’s encouraged aerobic workouts.

Mertes and Ovanic, along with a group of other swimmers, have been going to the YMCA regularly to swim with restrictions, including only one swimmer per lane.

Ovanic and a group of fellow Ottawa swimmers were going to the YMCA in Ottawa, but an issue with the pool has forced them to switch to the Illinois Valley YMCA in Peru for now.

“It’s definitely not the same as in season, but something is better than nothing,” Mertes said.

Mertes, who also been doing weight training, has appreciated the opportunity to swim, but said it’s been difficult as well.

“Luckily, the Y has been open to swimmers,” said Mertes, who goes to the Illinois Valley YMCA. “That’s what I’ve been doing just about every day. Coach has been able to send stuff out for us. I’ve been staying in pretty decent shape.

“(The workouts) are similar to what we would have done in season, but the energy is just not there not having everybody there and not being able to do meets. It’s like working toward a goal you know you won’t be able to achieve given the circumstances. It’s mentally straining, personally.”

Despite the strain, he said he stays motivated by looking forward.

“I just keep working,” Mertes said. “I stay in the mindset that eventually – hopefully – things will go back to normal or something close enough to normal where we can compete and do what we’re hoping to do.”