Rosary edges Waubonsie for title
It was a big day for the Waubonsie Valley girls swimming team, but a team championship at the West Chicago Wildcat Invite would have been the icing on the cake.
After leading most through most of the meet Saturday, the Warriors finished second after Rosary came up big in the 400 freestyle relay, grabbing the victory by the narrow margin of 257 points to 255.5.
"Our girls really stepped up and did an awesome job today," said Waubonsie Valley coach Katie Peterson. "A lot of our girls got their best times and our relays looked really strong."
The Warriors took first in both the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay before falling to a fourth-place finish behind Rosary in the final event of the day.
"We're so proud of our relays," said Alexa Steffl, who swam on both winning teams and also won the 50 freestyle. "We're building a team dynamic with everyone cheering for everyone else, but there's also a lot of competition for the relay spots."
Steffl, who swam the anchor leg, was joined by Avery Mathew, Hannah Hunt and Julia Burling on the winning 200 freestyle relay team that finished in 1:51.54, which was more than a second better than Rosary.
The Warriors with Steffl, Hunt, Emma Tinney and Mathew swimming anchor, also beat the Beads to the finish line in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:40.49 to Rosary's 1:41.09.
"I love our 200 relays," Mathew said. "Our times keep getting better. I would like to make top six at state in both."
"Those 200 relays are solid," Steffl said. ""Our 400 needs a little work. But if we do what I think we can, our team has a shot at finishing top 10 in state."
Steffl, Mathew and Tinney were all members of the 200 free relay team that finished 11th at state last year.
Peterson lauded Steffl for providing senior leadership for the maturing Warriors.
"She's our team leader and she keeps dropping times," Peterson said. "Alexa is really one of the keys to our relays at sectionals and state."
"I'm happy that I've been able to stay consistent," Steffl said. "I'm trying to stay around the state cut so I'll be performing at my best when I'm tapered."
Lyons Township finished third in the Invite with 213.5 points, followed by Metea Valley with 176 and West Chicago/Batavia Co-op with 174.
The host Wildcats finished second less than three seconds behind Rosary in the 400 freestyle relay with Ula Konopko, Natalie Nelson, Lindsay Bruce ad Myanna Cook doing the work.
"Those girls really stepped up against the big teams," said West Chicago/Batavia co-op coach Nick Parry. "That relay had a freshman, two sophomores and a junior, so they gained confidence today knowing that they can really compete. This meet can be a stepping-stone for our team, which is young, but has the most talent we've had here in a long time."
Bruce finished second in the 500 freestyle.
"Lindsay had a breakout summer," Parry said. "And we're trying to ride that wave and keep it going. She's done a real good job of putting herself in position for state."