Sport: Swimming

Grade: 12

Senior Will Brenton, captain of the Orono boys swim team, is a hard worker. Since age six, Brenton has worked to become a better swimmer .

“[Swimming] runs in the family. My Dad was a swimmer through college at Southern Methodist and his dad [Brenton’s grandfather]  swam at Yale. Because of that my parents had me in the water at a very young age,” Brenton said.

Brenton swims two to three hours everyday with the support of his head coach, Pete Buecher, who has over 35 years of coaching experience during the high school season. When he’s in the off season he trains under Jeff Rodriguez at Edina Swim Club.

“He’s an animal. He wakes up at five in the morning in the summer to swim. I don’t know anyone else that is as dedicated as he is. He swims twice every day,” senior Sig Mueller said.

According to the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), Brenton swam his personal best, 49.62 seconds, in the 100m back to finish second overall at the Minnesota Class A State Championships last season. Due Brenton’s swimming achievements, he has had the privilege of meeting several Olympic swimmers such as Michael Phelps, Matt Grevers, David Plumer and Jim Montgomery. Brenton has also signed to swim for Arizona State University (ASU).

There, he would commit to join the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, Bob Bowman. Bowman is a four time U.S. Olympic coach. Bowman is well known for coaching Michael Phelps, 28 time olympic medalist.

“He has always had the dream of swimming for a Division 1 college. He was not going to let anything get in the way of him fulfilling that dream,” mother Shelley Brenton said.

Before Brenton was signed with the Sun Devils, he faced an ultimate bump in the road. In early 2015, Brenton, who had suffered from headaches for his entire life, had a corrective surgery for a malformation of the brain called Chiari type (CM1).

According to the Mustafa Kemal University, Department of Neurosurgery, CM1 is when the cerebellum is being herniated between the base of the skull and the spine. This causes the cerebellum to cause swelling and cuts off circulation to this part of the brain.

Brenton described his recovery as “mentally, physically and emotionally challenging.”

“It really took a tole on every aspect of my life especially my swimming as I wasn’t able to train for the two and a half months, right before the biggest season of my life,” Brenton said.

Through his recovery, his friends, family and teammates were always by his side.

“I couldn’t have done it with our their support,” Brenton said.

“The team was always there for him if he needed anything. Will being one of my best friends, I would do anything to help him recover and be back on the team. We sent him food and gifts. It was a bitter-sweet feeling due to the fact that the surgery would be on his brain but it will only help him in the long run,” senior captain Andy Kileen said.

Today, Brenton is preparing himself for a successful future at ASU.

Sport: Cross Country and Hockey

Grade: 9

Freshman Claire Suchy has been running cross country since she was in seventh grade, not to mention playing hockey since she was in kindergarten. Entering into high school, Suchy has continued to grow in her high school sport’s career. You can catch Suchy  running the two mile or the 5k at Orono cross country meets, or playing left wing for Orono Girl’s Hockey team.

“My mom ran cross country when she was younger, so I believed that it would be worth giving it a try,” said Suchy. As far as hockey, Suchy started at such a young age that her parents simply signed her up. Yet, she is appreciative for this choice her parents made years ago.

As the cross country season concluded in late October, Suchy did extremely well. Throughout the season she was at the top of the JV team, but during sections her excellence allowed her to move up to run with the varsity team. Suchy was able to place in the Litchfield meet and even in conference at Delano, securing fifth place in both.  

After cross country concluded, Suchy continued onto her winter sport, hockey. The freshman has attained a position on Varsity since eighth grade. As a crucial team member, Suchy has helped the girls get off to a great start to their season; a record of 3-1.

“It would be really cool to possibly play sports in college or some sort of higher league,” Suchy said. Being only a freshman, Suchy has aspirations for the future of her sports career. Hockey has always been a passion of  Suchy’s and she wishes to continue her love of the game into college.

Although cross country is more of an individualistic sport, senior cross country captain, Grace Leslie raved about Suchy on and off the course.

“In races she is very competitive and strong. When she isn’t running she is an extremely hard worker. She is easy to get along with and overall a huge addition to the team. She not only inspires the younger runners, but she also creates a happier environment for everyone,” Leslie said.  

Senior hockey captain, Emma Sternberg also remarked on Suchy’s incredible hockey skills and team responsibility.

“I love playing with Suchy,” Sternberg said, “she is an extremely hard worker. She is reliable and I know that when she steps on the ice, she is going to give her all. She also has incredible stick handling skills which makes her fun to watch,”

Along with the stellar athlete that Suchy has grown into over the years, she also developed a delightful personality. Her teammates appreciate her hard work, skill level, dedication to the team, and the positive impact she imparts on the team.