I.V.“s Harris earns district recognition
From our weekly issue dated February 17, 2010
Taylor Harris
Wrapping up a season of astounding accomplishments, Taylor Harris, who is Illinois Valley High School“s swim team, won two bronze medals at district, and is headed to the state championship in Portland on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19 and 20.
On Friday, Feb. 12, Harris swam two more personal-best times to begin his district championship, placing him third-fastest for the finals.
The lone Cougar swimmer went on to win bronze medals at the finals on Saturday, Feb. 13 with his fastest time of the season in both his events: 24.20 in the 50 freestyle and 53.64 in the 100 freestyle.
The real story here is the effort this Illinois Valley athlete put into his season, and the support and recognition he received from all his Special 4-A district competitors and coaches.
Harris began swimming for IVHS his eighth-grade year while still attending Lorna Byrne Middle School.
“We chose to let him swim as an eighth-grader three years ago because IVHS had a small but accomplished swim team in the 2006-2007 swim season,“ commented his parents, Cynthia Hobbins & Michael Gosenski.
As an eighth-grader Harris made it to the finals podium, reserved for the top six places within the district, for both his individual events. That season four of seven of IVHS swimmers made it to the top six places at district.
Harris started swimming his freshman year, but had to stop due to an injury to his left shoulder joint. Although he could not swim he continued to serve as team captain and support the only other team member of the 2007/08 season.
Harris underwent surgery the fall of 2008/09 season to reattach his shoulder joint. He was unable to compete during his sophomore year.
The current 2009/10 season Harris has stepped up to the challenge of being the only Cougar swimmer. He has driven a 70-mile round-trip to get to practice. He has only worked out three times a week because of the distance to the closest pool. Most teams work out five days a week.
He has had no one in his lane to push him at workouts but himself and has come back from major shoulder surgery. He also had the added challenge of having his parents as coaches. Harris has had an impressive season of making it to third place at district and on to state championship competition.
On top of all those accomplishments, Harris received the 4-A Special District Sportsmanship Award from all the other teams and coaches.
“This was an unexpected surprise at the end of the meet,“ said Hobbins.
“The traveling trophy usually goes to one of the biggest teams,“ she said. “It was heartwarming how much support Taylor received from all the other teams and coaches throughout the season.
“The award of the Sportsmanship Trophy was the recognition from everyone within our district that Taylor“s accomplishments were above and beyond.“
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