Our very own Dan Gilbertson named all area swimmer of the year
If you missed it, here is the interview the Post Cresent had with Dan Gilbertson after being named all area swimmer of the year. Way to go Dan!
Grade: Senior.
Accomplishments: Swam anchor leg of 200-yard medley relay team that finished 10th at WIAA Division 1 state
meet with a time of 1:40.29; finished sixth in the 50 freestyle in :21.72; swam first leg of 200
freestyle relay that finished 11th in 1:30.07; finished third in the 100 breaststroke in :57.81; first place at sectional in 200 medley relay; won 50 free at sectional; won 200 free relay at sectional; won 100 breaststroke at sectional,
setting sectional and pool record with a time of :57.64; won the 100 breaststroke at the Fox Valley Association meet in :59.31; finished second in the 50 freestyle in :22.70 at the FVA meet.
Getting to know you
After swimming, your next favorite sport is what?
“My favorite sport to watch is football. I used to play basketball, football and soccer before I got into swimming my freshman year. My favorite to play is probably basketball.”
If you could have any job, what would it be?
“I think it would be pretty cool to be some sort of engineer.”
On weekends, what do you like to do?
“Usually I’m working, but on weekends when I have free time, I like to have down time and hang out with friends.”
Would you prefer a backstage pass at a concert of your favorite artist or to be on the pool deck at the next summer Olympics?
“Pool deck.”
You are given a blank check to buy whatever car you want. What car do you buy? “Probably a two-door Cadillac
You’re on vacation. If you can pick any place, where do you go?
“Somewhere tropical. Warm weather. Some place with a beach.”
When it comes to eating, do you prefer a nice restaurant or a good home-cooked meal?
“Definitely if I have time, I would go to a nice restaurant, but I’m content with sitting at home and eating whatever gets made.”
Your favorite food?
“Any sort of pasta.”
In the pool
How do you look back at this past season?
“I was definitely really happy. I achieved some goals I expected and some I wasn’t expecting.” Have you narrowed down the list of colleges that you are thinking about attending?
“I’ve narrowed it down a little bit, but I really haven’t chosen one school yet.”
All but three events are individual events. Do you consider swimming to be a team sport or an individual sport?
“I consider it to be an individual sport until the entire meet is over. Then you pool all the scores. It’s more of an individual sport and then with your team.”
Coach Ed Zepka once said that the breaststroke is the hardest stroke to become proficient at. Why? “I’m not really sure. When I first started, I was fine with learning it.”
At the large swim meets where there are a lot of heats between the events that you are competing in, how do you pass the time?
“I definitely hang out with a bunch of people on the team. I relax, hydrate and eat food.”
Coach speak
Appleton North/East coach Scott Stepanski: “Dan definitely had a fantastic season. He was able to set numerous meet and pool records. He is definitely one of the best breaststrokers ever to swim in this area. Dan has definitely a knack for this particular swimming stroke. However, for me, his improvement in the sprint freestyle was a pleasant surprise. He became the fastest sprinter in the area and even made the podium in the 50 at state. Dan was able to do all this in just over three years of competitive swimming. This says a lot about his natural ability, as well as his commitment to swimming. Joining the Wave club team was definitely the key to his overall success. Curt Beutler, the Wave coach, has done remarkable things with Dan’s continued improvement during this very short period. Dan’s short climb to the top of the area and state swimming is quite amazing.”
