MADISON TOWNSHIP — Madison swimming coach Matt Wade can breathe a little easier now that Colby Titus is breathing easy.
The Richland Bank Athlete of the Week, Titus finished second in two individual events and swam on two placing relay teams as the Rams finished second at the eight-team Friendly House Invitational over the weekend.
A year ago at this time, Titus was sick and nobody knew why.
“I was having a lot of upper respiratory and sinus infections,” Titus said. “We couldn’t figure out what was going on, but I knew about (former Orrville standout and state qualifier) Madison Monheim, who was allergic to chlorine.”
The mystery illness weighed heavily on both Titus and Wade. Would the standout be able to continue?
“We were concerned that his career might be over,” Wade said. “It seemed like he was sick every other day.”
While he wasn’t allergic to chlorine, the chlorine in the air was weakening his immune system.
“When you spend so many hours in the pool, it begins to break down your immune system,” Titus said. “We finally got it under control. I have an albuterol inhaler and a nasal spray I have to use before every meet.”
A senior, Titus is hoping to make a big splash this winter. He has the third fastest 50 yard freestyle time in school history and owns the school record in the 100 breaststroke. He qualified for the district meet in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke and as a member of Madison’s 400 freestyle relay team.
“He was our MVP last year and he has a time in every swim event on the school’s top 12 list,” Wade said. “We feel like he is ready to take the next step.”
Titus was second in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke. He swam the breaststroke leg on Madison’s fourth-place 200 medley relay team and anchored the third-place 400 free relay team.
“My goal is to make it to the state meet and finish in the top 16,” Titus said. “If I do that, I can get my picture on the wall.”
Wade is just glad to have a healthy Titus.
“Last year we just didn’t know what was going on. We were really scared that we were going to lose him,” Wade said. “This year Colby is able to manage his condition. It’s still early in the season, but he’s really swimming well.”
Titus couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I feel like I’m finally 100 percent,” he said.
“We were concerned that his career might be over,” Wade said. “It seemed like he was sick every other day.”
