Scouting Mid-Suburban League swimming

Mid-Suburban League swimming and diving

Diving: 6 p.m. Friday at Barrington

Swimming: 1 p.m. Saturday at Barrington

Diving outlook: Conant’s John Maevski and Buffalo Grove’s Julian Vasquez have been steady all season, but there’s no shortage of talent. Barrington’s Nolan Presmyk and Elk Grove’s Jerry Kurty are experienced and capable, while Prospect’s Andre Burke, Rolling Meadows’ Dylan Rust, Hoffman Estates’ Nick Canella and Wheeling’s Kyle Jensen figure to be in the picture, too.

Swimming outlook: Defending MSL champ Barrington lost a heartbreaker at Fremd in their dual meet as the Vikings earned the nod as West Division champs. It figures to be close again with the overall league title on the line. The Broncos were not quite at full strength in the dual, but it’s still tough to project who has an edge in the conference meet format with just two entrants per team in individual events. Fremd’s senior leaders Jeff Freund and Dustin Anderson will no double provide big points and will be threats to win their races. Will the Vikings’ relays hold up under intense relays competition from Barrington’s stable of freestylers such as Matt Lee, Dan Comyn, Jack Strauss, Tommy Clement, Leo Hayden and Kyle Ujiye? Coach John Valentine’s team is still young but has received quality swims all season and will surely be ready to defend its title.

How will a rapidly improving Conant team affect all this? The Cougars might not quite have the same kind of second-swimmer depth in all events, but there’s no arguing that they will have a major say in the top relay places along with race-winning potential from senior Palmer Lynch (sprints) and freshman Jonathan Burke (200, 500).

Hoffman Estates will be looking to make big gains from the previous year and has a balanced group with much better depth this time around. Palatine found tough competition in the West duals, but that will be less important in the conference format and the Pirates figure to be competitive across the board.

Hersey won the East Division crown with strong, consistent efforts from Jeff Ruffin, Alex Roznai and Samuel Kim, among others, but they’ll have plenty of competition from some of their divisional foes. Buffalo Grove junior Ian Rodriguez is a clear standout in whatever events he appears, Wheeling has consistently had terrific freestyle relays, and Prospect’s continuing development made them among the top second-half teams in the league.

Schaumburg’s Randy Carr seems primed for a big finish, Rolling Meadows sprinter Artie Checchin has been improving and Elk Grove’s developed vastly improved relays of late.