Zitkus steps up training as she continues to win

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Maine South sophomore Jenna Zitkus competed at the State Meet last year in the 100 butterfly and in the 200 relay. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 16, 2011 11:28AM

Jenna Zitkus even surprised herself during her team’s CSL South opener against New Trier last month.

The Maine South sophomore swam at the State Meet as a freshman, owns one individual program record and is part of another on a relay team.

But Zitkus’ performance Sept. 30 against the defending state champion Trevians stands out to her. She won both the 100-yard and the 200-yard freestyles, two events she normally doesn’t swim.

“I impressed myself,” she said. “Just as I was about to swim the 200, I thought to myself that’s New Trier and we are going to lose. I was shocked. I realized I can compete with those bigger and tougher teams.”

Zitkus established herself as one of the best swimmers in the conference after advancing to State in the 100 butterfly and on the 200 free relay team. She set Maine South’s 100 fly record last year with a 59.15 at sectionals.

Zitkus, along with Maddy Coffey, Lauren Buszydlo and Tyler Gooding, recorded the 200 free relay record with a swim of 1:39.53, also at sectionals.

“It was a shock to me last year to go that fast in the butterfly,” Zitkus said. “That was really good for me.”

Last week against Glenbrook South, Zitkus was part of four wins. She won the 200 IM (2:14.72) and the 500 free (5:18.94). She also swam on the winning 200 medley relay (1:55.51) and first-place 400 free relay (3:42.97).

The Hawks lost the dual meet to the Titans 117-69 to fall to 0-2 in the league. Glenbrook South improved to 2-0.

Zitkus started swimming in grade school at the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles. She made it her full-time sport when she got to high school, dropping basketball, volleyball and softball.

“I became more confident about my swimming career,” she said of her decision to concentrate on swimming.

With more than four full weeks left before the state series, Zitkus is comfortable where she is in the pool. She said Maine South coach Don Kura’s training has the team in better shape than at this point last season.

“He’s working us way harder because he knows what kind of group we are from last year,” she said. “We can handle it.

“I am right where I should be with my back and fly. I feel like I should go faster later this year because of all the hard work.”