The Doings Weekly

Hinsdale South sophomore Yang joins leadership ranks early on

 

BY KEN RYAN | Contributor | @KenRyan15 January 15, 2013 8:26PM

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Orland Park, IL - Saturday, January 12, 2013: Hinsdale South's Jason Yang competes in the 200 Individual Medley at the Al Gillberg Invitational. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media

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Don’t Miss

Friday

Girls bowling: Hornet Invite, 3:30 p.m.

Both Hinsdale Central and South will compete at Willowbrook Lanes as the season begins winding down. The meet is the last home invitational of the season for the Hornets, who compete in their final home dual against Downers Grove North Tuesday. The conference meet will be held Jan. 28 at Brunswick Zone in Woodridge.

Saturday

Boys swimming; at Lockport Invite, 9 a.m.

Senior distance freestyler Ryan O’Toole has been the Hornets’ top swimmer this year. O’Toole was fourth in the both the 200- and 500-yard freestyles Saturday at the Sandburg Invitational. South is coming off an eighth place finish at Sandburg. The meet is the Hornets’ third in as many weekends.

Updated: February 19, 2013 12:33PM

ORLAND PARK — Hinsdale South sophomore swimmer Jason Yang is rarely pleased with his performance.

It’s that desire to always improve that has made him a key member of the Hornets’ relay teams the past two seasons.

“He’s a great team leader,” senior Austin Hultmark said of Yang. “He’s one of our fastest swimmers and really goes out there with good intensity and he’s always looking to do better. He’s never satisfied with what he’s done.”

Hultmark’s high praise speaks volumes considering Yang is just a sophomore.

Yang, however, has embraced the role with plenty of help from senior leaders Hultmark and Ryan O’Toole.

“Coming into Hinsdale South, even as a freshman, I tried to take on a leadership role,” Yang said. “I knew I was going to be at the forefront of relays for our team and really wanted to help. Austin is a good leader as well. He’s older than me and I’ve learned a lot from him. We have a really good senior class.”

Hinsdale South placed eighth out of 14 teams at the talented 52nd annual Al Gillberg Invitational at Sandburg Saturday in Orland Park.

Yang, Gunnar Wagner, Hultmark and O’Toole placed fifth in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1 minute, 33.25 seconds) and seventh in the 400 free relay (3:25.08).

Not surprisingly, Yang wanted more.

“Our team had some really nice swims, but personally I think I could’ve done better,” Yang said. “That’s all part of swimming. You need to invest yourself and I think this was a good meet to see where we’re at for the season.”

Yang, who also competed in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke Saturday, has high aspirations this season.

“I want to go to state this year,” Yang said. “Our relay was a little bit off last year, but this year I’m hoping our 400 relay can make it and I can make it individually. It’s a long road ahead of me, but I’m planning on working hard to get there.”

Hinsdale South coach Frank Kuchta expects Yang to finish the season strong.

“He’s had a couple tough weeks,” Kuchta said. “We’re hoping for bigger and better things to come from him.”




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