Newcomer makes waves for Devils
By GEORGE M. WILCOX gwilcox@pioneerlocal.com December 13, 2011 8:38PM
Hinsdale Central's Brian Portland swims the 200-yard freestyle in a dual meet at Hinsdale Central on Saturday. | Jerry Daliege~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 16, 2012 10:12AM
As a freshman, Brian Portland doesn’t know what individual events or relays he will appear in until he is told by coach Corky King.
The new addition to Hinsdale Central will experience his first major meet of his high school career at 1 p.m. Saturday when the Devils compete in the Neuqua Valley Invitational. Until then, Portland has appeared in only three dual meets and will be in his fourth dual meet Friday when Hinsdale Central travels to Lyons for its second West Suburban Silver meet of the season.
Portland doesn’t know what events he will compete in, but will do as he is told while using a simple motto Portland keeps in the back of his mind: “I work hard at it and I’ll do my best at it.”
On Saturday, the Hinsdale resident finished third in each of his two individual events: the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.44) and 100 butterfly (56.39). At Neuqua Valley, Portland said he could possibly compete in the 100 fly and 200 individual medley.
Defending state champion New Trier defeated the host Red Devils 134-49 Saturday in a dual meet. Hinsdale Central’s only winner was defending state champion Danny Thomson, a Stanford recruit, in the 500 free (4:43.55).
In the preseason, Portland did not predict that he would make the varsity, but was willing to try. He quickly joined the varsity for its practices long before the Red Devils’ first meet Dec. 3 at Naperville Central.
“The other guys have been very accepting of me,” Portland said. “All the guys are great even though they are one level higher than me.”
Each of Portland’s relays on Saturday finished in fourth. He is on the Red Devils’ B level relays for the 200 and 400 frees. He swam with Jonah Heiser, Bryan Bu and Brian Powell in the 200 free relay and combined with Bu, Mark Smith and Banistre Lienhart in the 400 free relay.
Although Bu is a junior, Bu and Portland have known each other for years through the Hornet Swim Club at Hinsdale South. Portland lives only a few blocks from Central, but swims for the Hornets along with several other members of the Hinsdale Central team.
“It’s a little weird, but you get used to switching back and forth before the season starts,” Portland said.
Portland is still getting used to the high school experience. A large high school meet such as Neuqua is a new experience.
“At club meets, there are a few different events that have longer distances for strokes,” he said.
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