South Central swimmer Kane Klimczak follows sister as one-person team

South Central freshman Kane Klimczak might not consider himself a trailblazer.

Athletic director Chad Haschel said Klimczak is the first boys swimmer in the school's history, but the ninth-grader isn't the first in his family to swim for the Satellites.

Older sister and junior Tori is in her third year as a swimmer at S.C. -- just the third overall person to do the sport at the school.

Kane is pretty happy to have his sister leading the way.

"It helps having someone there is who going some of the same things," Kane said. "I feel like if there's anything I need, I know she'll be there to help."

Kane said the transition as a lone swimmer on a team has been made a lot easier thanks to his sister. Arrangements were already made during Tori's first season with Wheeler, where father Adam coaches the girls swimming team. Haschel has also been able to work out a larger competitive schedule and programs like Hobart have embraced the sibling duo with open arms.

According to coach and mother Gretchen Klimczak, each sibling has pushed the other to successes in the pool.

"She's set a standard for him, and he's trying to keep up with it," Gretchen said. "They're both very competitive, and it's nice that each has the other to cheer them on."

Both siblings were award MVP honors at the Hobart Invitational on Dec. 3. Kane Klimczak won both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 back.

"That really was a confidence boost for me," Kane said.

Unlike his sister, Kane hasn't always embraced swimming. Even though all four of his sisters swim, football is also a part of the family tree. His great-grandfather Stan is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and uncle Dan is the head football coach at Wheeler. Kane was a quarterback for the Satellites in the fall.

"Football is his passion," Gretchen said. "I think he's grown to love swimming."

Both believe the football has helped his water pursuits.

"I think the time drops surprised him, but he's gained a lot of strength during the football season," Gretchen said. "He's been able to pick up where he left off last season."

At this point, Kane's main goal is to break a minute in the 100 back, and his best time is 1:01. As for the postseason, he shares the same goal as his sister: qualify for the state meet. Tori came close last season, finishing fourth in the 100 free at sectional.

"It's something I really want to be able to do," he said. "If not this year, maybe next year. Just looking and seeing what my sister has already done, just pushes me to keep working harder."