Perfect in duals, Wheeling tops Maine West

For a team that hasn't had a lot of winning in recent seasons, Wheeling and coach Tod Schwager are thoroughly enjoying finding out how the other half lives.

The Wildcats improved to 3-0 in dual meets this season after topping Maine West 97-89 on Tuesday night in Des Plaines. With wins over Schaumburg and Prospect in Mid-Suburban League action, the Wildcats remain unbeaten in dual meets at 3-0.

“A couple of the guys were saying it really makes a difference in how you look at things,” said Schwager, who is beginning his third year at Wheeling. “I mean, last year, and really the last couple, we would enter just about every meet with some kind of uncertainty about how things were going to turn out. This year, we go into meets really knowing we have an opportunity to win.”

Wheeling won the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays and got individual victories from Nick Modlin in the 200 IM, Scott Lunardini in the 50 free, Shane McDade in the 100 fly and Bryce Maczko in the 100 free; Clark Jensen also gave the Wildcats a first-place finish in diving.

Maine West's winners were Brian Wasicak in the 500 free and 100 breaststroke, Joe Heinz in the 200 free, Matt Boesche in the 100 back, and the 400 free relay.

Warriors coach Ryan Claus wasn't disappointed with the outcome on Tuesday, either. He says he's looking forward to an interesting mix of experienced swimmers such as Heinz, A.J. Unander and Wasicak, and how they'll blend with an extremely promising younger group including Anthony Revegno, Boesche and Mike Conner.

It won't be easy for the Warriors, especially in the early going. But losses to Hersey, Wheeling and a tough meet coming up against Niles West aren't taking away their enthusiasm.

“We're really, really young,” said Claus, “but I'm having a great experience with this group. We're definitely a work in progress, and it will take us a while to really find out what we've got here, but it will be great going through it with these guys.

“I've got kids who understand what it takes in this sport, and they're willing to pay the price. As a coach, that's about all you can ask for.”