By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Two local swimmers have represented their hometowns very well this year. Andy Welch, a junior at Niles High School, and Jenny Curry, a junior at Eastern Illinois University, have done exceptionally well in the water and hope to continue to do so next year.
Welch is involved in the co-op program at Niles which combines swimmers from Niles, Bridgman and Lakeshore. A lot of people didn't even know that swimming was an option at the high school, but it is.
With Bridgman being the only school in the area with a pool, the team practices and competes there.
Welch was named to the SWAC All Conference/Division team and did well all season. At every meet, Welch would swim the maximum a swimmer is able to swim of two individuals and two relays.
Though Welch did well in meets, he thought he could have done a little better in competition and practices as well.
Welch got his start when he was six swimming for the YMCA Gators. He stopped swimming when he reached seventh grade and came back into it in high school.
After high school, Welch would like to attend Michigan State University to study business.
Eastern Illinois University's women's swimming team placed second in the Midwest Classic for the second straight year.
Curry placed fifth in the 100 freestyle, sixth in the 50 freestyle, sixth in the 100 butterfly and swam legs on the second place 200 freestyle relay, second in the 400 freestyle relay, third in the 400 medley relay and third in the 200 medley relay.
Curry is a graduate of St. Joesph High School and is majoring in Physical Education at Eastern Illinois.