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For the second straight season, the Fenwick High School boys swimming and diving squad is guided by a new head coach. Justin Jornd is entering his inaugural season. He becomes the program’s third head coach in three seasons. Jornd took over from Spencer Walker, who succeeded former coach Steve Thompson, who steered Fenwick for the last three years.
“I was eager for a chance to direct a program,” stated Jornd. “Not having a personal connection to Fenwick and feeling intimidated by its renowned history of swimming and diving prowess, I was hesitant to submit my application. Nevertheless, after discussions with [athletic director] Scott Thies and [aquatics director] Beto Garcia, I realized it was an ideal match. Our objectives aligned, and I recognized Fenwick was the place I wanted to be.”
Jornd, who brings 13 years of coaching expertise to Fenwick, spent the last five years at Glenbrook North as an assistant coach for the boys’ team. Hailing from Sevierville, Tennessee, he swam for Sevier County High School before joining the swimming club at the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Upon his graduation from Tennessee in 2012, he coached at the Tennessee School for the Deaf for four years, then relocated to the Chicago area in 2017 and took on the role of assistant age group and senior coach for two years. Alongside his coaching responsibilities at Fenwick, Jornd also volunteers as a coach at the University of Illinois Chicago.
With all the changes the Friars have undergone, Jornd was apprehensive about the response of the seasoned members to another coaching alteration. However, he reports that they have accepted him well.
“I was concerned that the instability might have disheartened the team,” Jornd remarked, “but they embraced me warmly and adopted the new training methodology — particularly in the weight room. The veteran varsity swimmers played a pivotal role in getting the team invested in the program, and I’m extremely thankful for their leadership.”
Fenwick features nine seniors: George Grant, Thomas Helt, Jack Kupiec, Miguel Mendez, Eddy Miljanovic, Matteo Morelli, Finnbar Munley, Thaddeus Turek, and Mark Yungerman. Additionally, juniors Michael Neumann, Jack Posluszny, and Patrick Rhatigan, in Jornd’s words, “demonstrate leadership through their actions in practices and meets, consistently putting in effort and inspiring their teammates.”
The Friars have benefited from the contributions of freshmen Aaron Diaz, Hugo Gibson, and Sean Soriano.
“They’ve earned positions on the varsity team and are filling the void left by last year’s seniors,” Jornd commented.
Fenwick is currently 2-0 in dual meets, including a 100-80 triumph over Oak Park and River Forest High on December 10.
“We’ve also shown strong performances at multiple invitationals, and we’re eager to approach the remainder of the schedule with the same enthusiasm,” stated Jornd.
One aspect that has remained constant is the program’s postseason aspirations. The Friars look forward to contending for the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference championship next month and are considered one of the frontrunners at a sectional they will be hosting.
“Our main objective is to swim as swiftly as we can,” Jornd stated. “We are positioned for a solid conclusion, aiming for an undefeated dual meet record and noteworthy performances at the conference and sectionals. The fundamental key to our success is maintaining the grit and determination that have characterized this team throughout the season.”
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