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If Bob Glover had taken a moment to rest and reflect after his four swims in Millard South's dual at Millard West on Tuesday, no one would have objected.

Glover instead was bouncing around the pool deck like a golden retriever just let out of the car after a long drive, leaving little doubt that the illness that sidelined him for a month won't keep him from his goals.

The defending state champion in the 100-yard backstroke was diagnosed with a case of mononucleosis potent enough that he wasn't allowed to attend classes — not to mention practice and competitions — for two weeks.

"For about two weeks, I thought it was just a cold," Glover said. "But then I was out for 2½ weeks after that. The worst part was not being able to be part of the team. I had to stay in bed and sleep all day."

How long did it take to get bored with that schedule?

"One day," he said. "The doctor kept telling me mono isn't something you can rush. I had no choice but to rest."

Millard South coach Tyler Hammond said Glover wasn't allowed to attend classes because his spleen was at risk of bursting even from incidental contact.

There were times Hammond wasn't sure Glover would be able to practice, let alone participate in the Feb. 24 and 25 state meet at Lincoln's Devaney Center.

But Glover helped the Patriots beat the Wildcats last week in what has turned out to be a final tuneup before this week's Metro Conference championships at Millard West. He was expecting to compete in Saturday's Millard South Invitational, in which he was to face Olympic Trials qualifier Ryan Miksch of Columbus in the 100 butterfly. But the meet fell victim to a snowstorm.

"Mentally he is extremely competitive," Hammond said. "Physically I think he can be there as well. He only has to have eight solid swims to meet all of his goals."

At Tuesday's dual, Glover moved from ninth to fifth on the state-leaders list in the 100 freestyle with his season-best 48.81.

His 100 backstroke time of 54.01 was well off his season best of 52.16 at the Dec. 17 Lincoln Southeast Invitational, but it was still faster than anyone else's time this season except Omaha Creighton Prep's Will Raynor.

Then there was Glover's second leg split of 21.84 in the 200 freestyle relay. Only three swimmers this season have been faster than 22 seconds in the open 50 freestyle.

Hammond noticed that Glover's shoulders were slumped just a bit after his backstroke, the race that wrapped up the swimmer's first meet in six weeks. But it didn't take long for Glover to become Millard South's lead cheerleader during the 100 breaststroke and 400 freestyle relay.

"It felt great (to swim again)," Glover said. "It's something I love doing. Every single day I'm back in the pool I'm building back up, and it's great to be around these guys again."

Glover, only a junior, is unconcerned that he's missed a handful of meets to try to impress college coaches in his pursuit of a scholarship. Right now he's excited to be back.

"Most colleges are preoccupied with their seasons right now," Glover said. "Whoever sends mail, I'll open it and respond, but I still have high expectations of myself to succeed this season. I met with Coach, and we're still going for the goals we set on Nov. 15.

"Those expectations won't change."

Contact the writer:

402-618-4113, alexsdad@mail.com

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