Wawasee senior Zac Hershberger is ready to make another run to state in the breaststroke. (Photo by Mike Deak)

SYRACUSE – Getting a taste of the bright lights of a state finals is enough for anyone to be motivated to get there again. Athletes in any sport attain to reach the sport’s pinnacle, and will do anything to be at the top. After a run to state last year for the first time, Wawasee senior Zac Hershberger is bound and determined to swim in Indianapolis one more time.

Hershberger, who has anchored Wawasee’s improved swim program as early as a sophomore in being named a captain, officially made a name for himself last February after winning a sectional championship in the breaststroke at 1:00.57. The victory sent Hershberger to state, where he admitted to succumbing to the pressure and finished 29th overall in a disappointing 1:01.90.

The Wawasee junior also just missed out in the 100 freestyle, only a length out of first after winning the Northern Lakes Conference title in the event. The partially covered table left Hershberger determined to right his own personal wrongs in what he feels could be a very big senior season.

“Making it to state last year was really humbling,” began Hershberger. “It showed me what I needed to work on and how much harder I needed to work if I possibly wanted to come back as a top 16 next year.”

Hershberger is pretty certain his focus this year will be the breaststroke, but may shift from the 100 to the individual medley, which incorporates all four high school swim disciplines in breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly and freestyle. Northridge went one-two-three in the sectional in the IM, but just champion Jon Stoller (1:54.67) remains as Raider teammates AJ Bernth and Joe Mueller graduated. A full season of work in the event should give Hershberger a shot at making state in two individual events.

“I’m going after the school record in the 100 breast,” stated Hershberger, noting the 58.73 from 2006 Wawasee grad Jordan Rantz as the gold standard. Hershberger’s best personal time was his sectional swim last February. “One of the times I had in club state in the IM would have me in range to make the state cut. I need to improve in the butterfly and backstrokes, though.”

Wawasee, which opens its season Nov. 30 at Warsaw, should have a competitive program in place. Returning Hershberger as a captain, Wawasee will have plenty of returning power with five seniors and a host of underclassmen. Names like Logan Brugh, Mason Germonprez, Austin Krizman and Caige Wahlgren should help keep Wawasee competitive in an otherwise loaded NLC.

“The first day back we normally have a lockerroom meeting where we talk about where we want to go from last year to this year,” Hershberger said. “I don’t think the senior year thing will kick in until maybe two or three weeks in once we get into a routine and have a few meets. I think that’s about the point it will hit me and I’ll take on some of those senior year leadership roles.”