Canfield’s Trebilcock brothers pool their talents

By Joe Scalzo

Junior Garrett and sophomore Gavin have different personalities and different practice habits, but they still produce good solid results.

CANFIELD — A few weeks ago, when the cold weather idled school buses and Canfield High swimming coach Andrea Linnelli was forced to cancel practice, most teenagers would have been content to stay indoors with a blanket on their legs and an XBox controller in their hands.

Not Garrett Trebilcock. The junior started calling around to local fitness centers in hopes of finding an open pool. He did the same thing this week.

“Sometimes when we don’t have practice, he’ll down to YSU and practice with Penguin Swimming,” said Linnelli. “He’s really motivated.”

His younger brother Gavin, a sophomore at Canfield, isn’t quite as dedicated.

“No, I’m the guy who hears practice is canceled and falls asleep,” Gavin said. “And I’m the one who goes out to a party at 12 o’clock when [Garrett] is staying home to get his rest.”

Don’t misunderstand. Both brothers work hard in and out of the pool — when practice was canceled Wednesday, Gavin spent that time doing homework — but they have different personalities. Garrett is more serious and driven, Gavin more laid-back. (Not surprisingly, Gavin is the better XBox player.)

“I’m the kind of guy who will tell people it’s time to get down to business,” said Garrett. “Gavin is funnier. He tends to loosen up the atmosphere.”

The different strategies work well for both swimmers, who are among the most talented in the Mahoning Valley. Garrett was recently named the top male athlete at the recent Northeast Aquatic Conference meet, helping the Cardinals claim their second league title in as many years. Gavin, meanwhile, set a league record in the 100-yard backstroke at that meet, finished second in another event and was a member of two winning relays.

“They both have a lot of natural talent,” said Linnelli, “and they’re very hard working and very driven.”

Both have been swimming almost as long as they’ve been walking. (Garrett calls the sport a “natural attraction,” while Gavin pursued it once he realized he has more natural talent for swimming than other sports.) They get along well — Gavin said it’s pretty much a necessity since “you can’t be around someone you don’t like all the time” — and Garrett said they’re secure enough to talk smack between races.

Both practice year round, five to six days a week, often twice a day. It’s a typical routine for elite swimmers nationwide, who are among the hardest-working and most dedicated athletes in any sport.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to be the best,” said Garrett. “Swimming is the kind of sport that if you’re out of the water for a day or two, it’s kind of hard getting back to where you were.

“It’s like if you haven’t played basketball for a few days. You’re a little bit off. With swimming, I like to stay on my ‘A’ game.”

That doesn’t mean practice is fun.

“It stinks. I hate it,” said Gavin. “It’s not like I get done with school and want to go to three hours of swim practice. But I know what I have to do and I like the rewards at the end of the year.”

Garrett qualified for last year’s state meet in four events, placing sixth in the 200 IM, 12th in the 100 fly and helping the Cardinals place fourth (400 free relay) and sixth (200 medley relay) in two relays. Gavin was an individual qualifier in the 200 IM and was a member of two fourth-place relays.

Although it was Canfield’s best-ever team performance, Garrett was a bit disappointed. He was hoping to finish in the top three and admits he regularly check opponents’ statewide times online.

“The feeling you get at state just makes you want to do it all over again, and do better this year,” said Garrett. “That’s what motivates me.

“Plus, this is my junior year and I’ve got a shot of doing something big.”

scalzo@vindy.com