Like everyone, the last eight months has been very different for La Salle-Peru junior Peyton Heagy.
For Heagy, that meant going about her swimming career differently than she has in the past.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heagy was unable to practice with the Illinois Valley YMCA Dolphins from mid March until the end of May.
When Heagy and the Dolphins were able to return to the pool, they could only practice three days per week — down from their typical five — and couldn’t compete throughout the summer.
To make up for the lost work in the pool, Heagy biked and did workouts at home.
“Considering how some teams didn't get to practice at all, I was grateful we at least got to practice a few days per week,” Heagy said. “When I went to practice, I made sure I did as much as I could.”
Because she made the most of her limited practices and did work on the side, Heagy didn’t feel she was behind when the high school season arrived in August.
“I think I was in as good of shape as I could have been,” Heagy said.
It showed in the pool for the La Salle-Peru/Ottawa/Earlville co-op.
Heagy won the max four events in eight of 11 meets, repeated as sectional champion and state qualifier in the 50-yard freestyle, earned two second-place sectional medals and set a new program record in the 100 freestyle.
For all she accomplished this season, Heagy is the 2020 NewsTribune/Times Girls Swimmer of the Year.
“I thought overall it was really fun,” Heagy said. “It was really exciting to get the chance to swim even though the season was pretty short. I wish it could have been longer and I wish we could have gone to state, but overall it was a good season.”
L-P co-op coach Rob McNally said Heagy’s “incredible season” was built on hard work.
“It’s the standard method of how you get really good at this sport — put in a lot of time and effort,” McNally said. “She’s been swimming since she was very, very young. When you swim that often, pay attention, work hard and develop your skills, you’re going to turn out to be a good swimmer. Another thing that makes her so good is she has an incredible feel for the water, which is very important in swimming. Sometimes that’s difficult to teach because it has to be experienced. The third and probably most important thing is Peyton possesses an incredible drive in competition. She just wills herself to win and wills herself to the wall first.”
Heagy came into the season as the L-P co-op’s unquestioned top swimmer after qualifying for the IHSA state meet in two events as a sophomore.
She didn’t just help the Lady Cavaliers by racking up individual wins, but also by providing leadership to a young squad that finished 6-4 in duals.
McNally said she led by example, asked questions, had a great attitude and helped make sure teammates were in the right places at the right times.
“I think they look up to me so I try to take that leadership role,” Heagy said. “One big thing is to make sure I start everything so they see what you’re supposed to be doing and they can follow along. For them it can be scary. They might not know what to do so I help guide them with what we’re doing.”
Heagy is looking for more success both individually and as a team next season.
“The one area I think Peyton can still improve is to get physically stronger,” McNally said. “She was a little unwilling to do that kind of work in the past, but I believe at the end of the season she knows its absolutely necessary to get to the next level and she’s willing to do it.”
Heagy is back practicing with the Dolphins five days per week, and in order to improve her strength, she stays after swim practice for additional work.
“I definitely want some best times in my 50 and 100 freestyle,” Heagy said. “I want to make state again and just have a really good last season.”