Munster's Wilson Beckman the Post-Tribune's Boys Swimmer of the Year

Bouncing back from trying circumstances is nothing new for Beckman. In eighth grade, he underwent surgery for pectus excavatum, a condition in which a person's breastbone is sunken into his chest.

"I went to Riley Children's Hospital to get surgery and they basically broke my ribs and put a bar in," Beckman said. "My sophomore year, I had it taken out. Once I had that surgery, I started doing really well. I won the age group state title for the backstroke right after that."

Before the surgery, Beckman hadn't finished higher than third in any event at age group state. After the procedure, improved breathing translated to better results in the pool.