Peter VanderBloomer (12): Wrestling

Q: Can you describe your state experience?

“It was a lot of fun getting down there again, because it’s my second time. It felt like everything was paying off, and I worked really hard. I knew getting down there this year would be a lot harder because I was going to be in a stronger weight class, so I worked hard for it and it was just fun to get down there.

Placed: N/A

Been wrestling for: 7 years

Favorite memory: “Winning regionals, because it was my first high school tournament that I’d ever won”

People to thank: Coach Miceli, Coach Omar and Coach Ingraham

Joey Blitstein (12): Wrestling

Q: Can you describe your state experience?

“It was pretty crazy. There was a lot of people; usually in wrestling you’re used to a couple of your friends and family there, but there were thousands of people I was wrestling in front of. It was nervewracking, but when you win it’s pretty cool.”

Placed: Top 8, one match away from being all-state

Wrestling for: Since 4th grade

Favorite Memory: “There’s so many…the practices are not one of them, the practices are god-awful and super hard. But I’d say being with the team because there’s a lot of jokes we make and it’s just a fun time. I think becoming the first three-time all-conference wrestler in this school’s history was probably a really big deal for me this season–that was probably the highlight of my career.”

People to thank: Coach Miceli, the team

Other Sports: Football and track

College: Playing football at University of Wisconsin Osh-Kosh and plans to help out on wrestling

Conrad Kocoj (12): Swimming

Can you describe your state experience?

Q: “State was very interesting. It was fun to see all of the other fastest swimmers in the state, and the scene was incredible. I’ve never swum in front of a bigger crowd.”

Placed: 17th in the 50 freestyle

Been swimming for: 5 years

Favorite Memory: “When I qualified for state in the 50 freestyle at sectionals.”

People to thank: Coach Tanyavutti, Coach Leuken, and teammates

Other Sports: Cross country, water polo, track

College Plans: “For now, I want to focus on my academics at Northwestern University. I don’t specifically have the desire to join any team yet”

Brian Rabinowitz (11): Swimming (100 backstroke)

Q: Can you describe your state experience?

“When I first walked in it felt like any other meet, but right after warmups that’s when it really started feeling real. It was really unlike anything else I’ve ever done because the deck was completely packed with people, so that was an experience. It was more spirited than any other meet I’ve been too.

Placed: 32nd

Swimming for: 10 years, made state in club

Favorite memory: “Making it at the sectional meet”

People to thank: Both coaches (Leuken and Tanyavuti)

College Plans: Undecided

Jacob Stern (11): Bowling

Q: Can you describe your state experience?

“It was fun–it was a good experience to be able to bowl with some of the best bowlers in the state.”

Been bowling for: 5-6 years

Favorite memory: “Being the ‘underdog’ because no one thought I would make it to state. A lot of my friends from Stevenson were surprised that I was able to make it when no one including myself thought I would be able to.”

People to thank: Coaches Long and Spiegner

Other Sports: Soccer

College Plans: Would like to bowl at University of Kansas