It was an amazing winter season for the JETS Swim Team as they claimed multiple team titles at local and state competitions and put forth performances that etched new marks in the program record book!
Highlights from the winter included:
IL Swimming Winter Regional Championships
February 28-March 2
Lincoln Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL
Logan Despojo, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, Daniel Venhrynovych, Simon Zapanta, and Holly Zilinger all won individual event titles.
Sadcopen broke a team record in the 200 yard backstroke that had been held since 1983 and Venhrynovych set a new team record in the 50 yard butterfly.
“We had 29 athletes compete and it was a very successful meet with over 75% of our swims being personal best times. We had a total of 60 top 8 finishes awarded on the podium,” JETS head coach Dave Hedden said.
IL Senior Championships
March 6-9
UIC Natatorium in Chicago, IL
The boys 200 yard medley relay team of Hermes Sadcopen, Chris Johnson, Elliot Martillo, and Daniel Venhrynovych qualified for YMCA Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina.
“Hermes also broke the team record in the 50 yard backstroke while Chris set new team records in the 50 yard and 200 yard breaststrokes, the latter of which had been held since 1984,” Hedden said.
Chicago Suburban YMCA District Championships
March 8
Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake, IL
The JETS won the overall team meet for the second consecutive year after claiming Girls 12-U, 14-U, and 21-U age division titles as well as a clean sweep of the Boys 10-U, 12-U, 14-U, and 21-U age division titles.
“104 JETS swimmers participated with 21 athletes combining for 31 event victories,” Hedden said.
Event winners included: Aaryahi Amin, Haily Beringer, Rachel DeMille, Evan Delcid, Nolan Ewah, Jaden Habon, Filip Hajnos, Hadley Howard, Chris Johnson, Jonathan Kerr, Elliot Martillo, Shivaay Punjwani, Hastin Sadcopen, Hermes Sadcopen, Ava Sorensen, Daniel Venhrynovych, Alex Watkins, Brooke Wojcik, Aria Yui, Holly Zilinger, Shane Zilinger.
IL 11-14 Age Group Championships
March 13-14
FMC Natatorium in Westmont, IL
The quartet of Chris Johnson, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, and Daniel Venhrynovych took 4th in the 200 yard freestyle relay and 6th in the 200 yard medley relay.
“The relay team bettered their own record in the medley and their time in the 200 freestyle broke a record that had been held since 1985,” Hedden said. “Hermes also broke the team record for 13-14 boys 50 yard freestyle and Chris broke his own team record in the 100 yard breaststroke.”
IL YMCA State Championships
March 14-16
Central High School in St. John, Indiana
The JETS had 58 athletes compete and claimed a title in the Boys 14-U age division.
Individual state champions included Chris Johnson, Evan Johnson, and Hermes Sadcopen.
Chris Johnson, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, and Daniel Venhrynovych teamed up to win first place in the 14-U 200 yard freestyle and 200 yard medley relays.
We are so proud of all the amazing things our JETS swimmers have done so far in 2025 and we wish them the best as they prepare for their summer season! If you would like to learn more about the team, please contact Dave Hedden at [email protected] or (815) 782-0805.
You can also see additional updates on the JETS Facebook page.
