For senior Will Keyes, his Oak Park and River Forest High School boys swimming days truly came down to one race at the state meet Saturday. Keyes, who usually competes in the maximum four events, only qualified for the finals of the 200-yard freestyle at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont.
“It was a bit weird. Normally I have the mindset of maintaining that level of fitness and ability throughout the meet,” he said. “It is kind of nice just having my mind set on one thing. I could dial in and really focus on the little things about that race.”
Keyes went out finishing 12th in a season-best 1:41.60 to conclude one of the most successful resumes in OPRF history.
Fenwick, meanwhile, had four honorable mention all-state performances. Junior Jack Posluszny was 12th in the 100 breast stroke (56.74) and junior Patrick Rhatigan was 15th in the 200 free (1:42.71) and 500 free (4:42.62). The 200 medley relay of freshman Hugo Gibson, Posluszny, junior Michael Neumann and senior Thomas Heit was 14th (1:34.57).
The Friars finished 28th (15 points). Heit was the only senior among their seven state competitors.
“We’re ready to come back next year with more fight,” Posluszny said. “We’ve worked hard, we have more work to do, and we can get better next year.”
Top-eight times from Friday’s preliminaries competed for the state championship and earned all-state. Ninth through 16th prelim times raced for ninth and honorable mention all-state honors.
Keyes collected seven medals over the past three state meets to share the Huskies’ seventh highest overall total. His other individual medal was 15th in the 200 free in 2024 (1:40.95).
“Swimming is such a big part of my life. I will continue swimming in some aspect,” said Keyes, who does not plan to compete collegiately. “There are some awesome traditions we do every year as a team and they’re always really special to me. That’s what sports is all about, meeting the guys you’re always with and becoming teammates but also just friends.”
Keyes reached the championship finals once with the fifth-place 200 free relay in 2022. Saturday’s races were expanded from 12 to 16 finalists last season.
“He’ll definitely go down as one of our most decorated swimmers,” OPRF coach Clyde Lundgren said. “For him to go three years [to state], come home with medals every time is a huge accomplishment.”
Under first-year head coach Justin Jornd, the Friars are on track for even greater things next season.
Fenwick’s Hugo Gibson, Michael Neumann, Jack Posluszny and Thomas Heit stand at the podium for their 14th pace finish in the 200 Yard Medley Relay during the IHSA Boys Swimming State Championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s Patrick Rhatigan competes in the 200 Yard Freestyle during the IHSA Boys Swimming State Championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s Jack Posluszny competes in the 200 Yard Medley Relay during the IHSA Boys Swimming State Championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s Hugo Gibson competes in the 200 Yard Medley Relay during the IHSA Boys Swimming State Championship Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal)
“We had a great [sectional], just blew all of our best times out of the water,” Jornd said. “Coming into the state meet, I knew we were a little tired but the boys finished strong. The way they showed up [both days], it was a great meet.”
At the Fenwick Sectional, Posluszny broke the Fenwick pool record for the 100 breast (59.57) and is on the verge of the 1994 school record. Posluszny swam 56.59 Friday.
“I think we did well. I thought my [100 breast] performance was great. I gave it my all and it’s a reflection of all the work I’ve done this year,” he said. “On days that you just don’t want to keep going, you’ve just got to keep pushing and working hard.”
In his finals, Rhatigan swam No. 2 season times to his best ones Friday (1:42.50 and 4:39.31).
“My 200 free was strong [Saturday]. I was able to pace it pretty well,” Rhatigan said. “My 500 free, I died a little bit at the end just because it’s been a long weekend for everybody.”
Rhatigan said he logs between 7,000 and 8,000 yards training regularly with his club team at FMC.
“I didn’t really have that back half I was hoping for [in the 500 free],” Rhatigan said. “I was talking with [Jornd]. We’re going to train a little more aerobically and make sure I have that back end on the last day.”
In prelims, Fenwick’s 400 free relay of Heit, Neumann, Posluszny and Rhatigan was 19th (3:10.67). OPRF’s Keyes was 21st (46.62) and Heit tied for 22nd (46.66) in the 100 free. The Huskies’ 200 free relay (23rd, 1:27.37) had four time drops from Keyes, seniors Lucas Puntillo and Andrew Harmon and sophomore Alfonso Cides.
“After the race, [Harmon said] you can’t ask for any more than that,” Lundgren said. “To come here, swim your best time at the end of the season, it’s a great way to go out.”