Boys Swimming: Glenbrook North seniors Conrad, Tatham have chance to shine at conference

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Deerfield Friday, 1/13/12 Glenbrook North's Stefan Johnson swimming the 500 Yard Freestyle during Friday's meet at Deerfield. Deerfield won the meet, 96-90. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 11, 2012 8:11AM

Josh Runkle said Saturday’s CSL North meet is all about two seniors who have spent their careers working hard in the pool.

The Glenbrook North coach is excited to see what four-year swimmers Ben Conrad and Alex Tatham can do at Deerfield.

“It’s their show this weekend,” Runkle said. “They will be the two who are rested and shaved.”

Even though the veteran duo will swim at sectionals the following weekend, the conference meet will be their opportunity to fly.

Conrad will swim the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke, and Tatham will compete in both the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle.

“Both are great kids and have been really important to our program,” Runkle said. “They are the guys who give you depth and leadership. They are good role models, and I will miss not being able to coach them.”

Not much can slow down Tatham, who’s been swimming with a torn labrum. He will have surgery to repair the injury once the season is over.

“It’s been rough on him, but he’s been battling,” Runkle said. “It’s not getting worse, but it’s a pain-tolerance thing. He’s really fought through it.”

Runkle said the Spartans are fighting for second place in the conference with Deerfield and Highland Park. Niles North is favored to capture the championship.

“They are head-and-shoulders above everybody else,” Runkle said.

Jason Chen, Brian Roytman, Stefan Johnson and Victor Qiao are four Spartans who will use this weekend to get ready for the sectional at Glenbrook North.

Runkle said Chen and Roytman might be looking to swim three relays at the state series. Qiao and Johnson will enter the freestyle events.

“We really want to try and qualify all three relays,” Runkle said. “The medley relay will be the toughest for us. We are pretty far away from the cut, but I think we can give it a run at the others.”