Girls swimming state meet / Lake County
It was by no means a perfect meet for Vernon Hills junior Zoe Eldridge, but qualifying for today’s girls swimming state meet finals sure seemed to take the edge off for her.
Eldridge narrowly missed best times in her events, the 100-yard freestyle and the 200 freestyle, but was good enough in the latter to gain the 12th and final qualifying spot for today’s finals at Evanston Township High School.
She finished in 1:53.98 in the 200, about a second slower than her best-ever sectional effort at Lake Forest last weekend.
“Still,” Eldridge happily pointed out, “it’s my second-best time, ever.”
Indeed, and quite an improvement over her experience as a state qualifier last year.
“I was much more relaxed and focused this time,” she said. “I was excited, rather than nervous or worried. I think that made a big difference.”
Eldridge will have plenty of company from her Lake County peers today when the state finals begin at 1 p.m.
Stevenson sophomore Madison Blaydes will join Eldridge in the consolation heat of the 200 free, and Blaydes also advanced to the consolation heat of the 500 freestyle.
In the 500, Blaydes will be swimming alongside Libertyville sophomore Morgan Dickson, who had the ninth-best qualifying time.
Lake Zurich sophomore Ashley Balda will also get to race again; she had the eighth-fastest effort in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.32).
Stevenson, Libertyville and Warren were able to advance any of their relays to today’s action.
Patriots coach Karl Milkereit wasn’t expecting big time drops at Evanston since the majority of his swimmers had planned to have their best efforts at last weekend’s sectional meet.
And the one swimmer who was pointing toward best times at state, Blaydes, delivered.
“I think she’s pretty happy with her swims,” said Milkereit. “For most of our girls, getting here to state this year was a learning experience, an opportunity to race and see what it’s all about.
“Madison was under control in both her races she had a little bit of trouble with her flip turns (in the shallow end) during the 200, but she got that straightened out in the 500 and did a real nice job. I’m excited to see what she can do (Saturday).”
In a meet delayed twice by balky timing pads and other assorted timing issues, Glenbrook South sophomore Olivia Smoliga might have provided the meet’s most dramatic moment.
The top-seeded swimmer in the 50 free, Smoliga slipped on her start, with her rear foot sliding almost completely off the back of the starting block. Despite the awful start, she finished in 23.61, putting her in the No. 2 slot for finals.
Later, in the 100 backstroke, she set a state record with a time of 53.90.