Follow the Leader: Learn more about Bremen swim star, Eddie Rhein

Bremen High School Junior Edward (Eddie) Rhein was described by his swim coaches as “dedicated” and a “natural born leader.”

By the time Rhein was in second grade, he knew he wanted to be a swimmer. In fact, he told his parents he wanted to join a swim club. In second grade! Clearly, he’s not a follower.

Dedicated to start an athletic career as a swimmer, the young Rhein and his family searched high and low for an elementary-level swim club. While most kids were just learning to swim, Rhein was ready to show off his skills.

Luckily, the Rhein family was able to find a club in Oak Forest.

While Rhein has added golf to his athletic profile over the years, he remains a passionate swimmer on the Bremen High School Swim Team where he enjoys swimming the 500 free-style.

For those of you who don’t know what the 500 free-style is, Rhein swims 20 laps back and forth across the length of the swimming pool. The 500 is clearly a race meant for those who have endurance and probably one that many of us wouldn’t say we’d “enjoy” swimming.

For Rhein, it’s his favorite thing about high school.

“I enjoy being in the water; water just makes me relax,” he explained.

It’s relaxing to swim 20 laps back and forth while holding your breath for the majority of it and worrying about the other guy next to you?

Okay…whatever you say!

Where does Rhein’s determination come from? Perhaps from his grandfather who served in the United States Marines.

Rhein, who is inspired by his grandfather’s legacy, hopes to follow in his footsteps. Even as a Junior, he already knows that he plans to become a Marine and work as a military mechanic.

“Being a Swim Captain this year and helping out last year definitely boosted my leadership skills. I think this will help me in the Marines,” said Rhein.

He isn’t wrong about the leadership skills; his coaches commend him similarly.

Head Bremen Swim Coach Amy Daggy said, “Eddie came in with a swimming background and we were really excited about that. He was really just thrown in wherever we needed him. Sometimes he swam JV and sometimes Varsity, but he never once complained and always just said, ‘Ok, I got it.’”

The Bremen High School Boys Swim Team is a younger team with primarily freshmen and sophomore athletes on it. Once Rhein and the team’s few older peers are graduated, they’ll need a legacy to follow and help push them forward to victory.

Coach Daggy believes that Rhein will leave behind that legacy for others to follow.

“He’s a natural born leader and he really takes that extra step to make sure that everyone on the team feels included and welcome. He also is the one at the end of the pool cheering on his peers whenever someone is swimming at a meet.”

But…before he can graduate, leave his legacy, and join the Marines, Rhein has one goal left to accomplish.

He wants to sprint the 500.

Currently, Rhein can complete the 500 free-style in roughly seven minutes. In order to qualify for IHSA State (arguably every high school swimmer’s dream), he must reach that magic time of 4 minutes and 44 seconds.

One thing’s for sure, if there’s anyone who can do it on the Bremen Swim Team - it’s Eddie Rhein.