York freshman Kosanovich qualifies for state swimming finals.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
York freshman boys swimmer Branko Kosanovich wasted no time this season making his presence felt.
Kosanovich qualified for the boys state finals meet in the butterfly where he took 33rd in the state with a time of 52.41.
“I really liked the atmosphere at state,” he said. “It’s probably the best atmosphere I’ve been in. In club (he swims for the Westmont Swim Club) we go to a lot of big meets, but this was probably one of the best meets I’ve been in.”
Kosanovich worked on several parts of his butterfly event throughout the year.
“I got better off the walls and my under-waters got better and that helped my time get better,” he explained. “The little things in the butterfly are the most critical to having a good race. You have to work on your starts and finishes and under-waters. For me the key is under-waters. Any time I’m practicing I’m trying to focus on different things whether I’m working on under-waters or sometimes focusing on under-waters and turns.”
Kosanovich said he learned plenty at the state meet. “There were a lot of big kids there,” he said. “It was a really good experience as a freshman. I definitely learned a lot and will grow from this. I’m looking forward to next year and hopefully I will make it back.”
Kosanovich started swimming at the age of eight for the Elmhurst Swim Team. “My sister (Maya, a junior water-polo player at York) started swimming and my mom made me join her. I ended up sticking with it.”
Kosanovich, whose club competed recently in a key meet at UIC, is a big fan of the team atmosphere in the pool. “The thing I like about swimming is my teammates,” he said. “I love going to practice and I love seeing them after a long day at school. They make my day. It’s fun to hang out with them and it makes swimming fun. I love swimming. It’s a big part of my life.”
And Kosanovich is ready to have even more fun in the York pool next year.
“I’m really motivated. I can’t wait for next year,” he said. “I’ve seen improvement in my time this year and hopefully that will continue next year. I would like to get back to state and place better than 33rd.”
