Young Hersey's growing up quickly

The challenges for Hersey girls swimming coach Dick Mortensen are many. So, fortunately, are the possibilities.

"We've been learning a lot," said Mortensen after his team topped Wheeling 126-58 on Tuesday in a Mid-Suburban East dual meet at Olympic Pool in Arlington Heights. "I have such a young team, so that's a challenge. We're learning things like, even if you're not getting a great race from anybody else in a particular race, you still have to go hard. We have a lot of kids learning about the balance it takes, with homework and other competing activities, to be a high school swimmer."

And other teams? They're quickly learning that Hersey is a team to be reckoned with.

In addition to six varsity-ready freshman swimmers who are making a difference, Hersey diving coach Tom Schwab has what he is calling the most promising group he's ever had at Hersey - which is saying quite a lot, as the Huskies have consistently had the best top-to-bottom group in the league.

Against Wheeling, senior diver Kelly Haines led the way with a fine score of 231.75, followed by freshman Madeline Bovino (214.95) and Alexandra Heidrich (187.60). Maggie Barton won at the JV level with 188.20, and Tori Schmidt, Mackenzie Kamysz, Lilie Rose and Hannah Goldberg are all helping ensure that Hersey's practices are competitive and productive at all ability and experience levels.

"These kids are great," said Schwab. "Instead of me telling them what they need to work on, they're approaching me and asking about specific things they can try to improve. I feel like I'm used to coaching at 55 miles an hour, and these kids are making me go 120."

Freshman Olivia Kusio is also pushing the envelope in the swimming events. Her winning effort of 2:18.80 in the 200-yard IM - the first time she's raced that event this season - underscores how valuable she's quickly become to the team. She also won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:11.68 and gives Mortensen a top-end competitor in just about any dual meet event, including the sprint freestyles.

Other Hersey winners included Sarah Petro in the 200 free (2:07.70) and 100 free (57.70), Abby Johnstone in the 500 free (6:03.81) and Jenny Lutz in the 100 fly (1:03.42). The Huskies also won the medley and 200 free relays.

Wheeling senior standout Theresa Godlewski won both her individual events comfortably, taking the 50 free in 25.28 and the 100 back in 1:02.58. She's been considerably faster this season in both events but hopes the very end of her season is more fulfilling than last year.

Sure, she won her events and the conference meet and qualified for state in both last fall. But as a senior, about the only thing that matters to her in the next couple of months is that final weekend of the season, and hopefully earning a swim or two on the Saturday of the state meet.

"I'm just trying to focus on working hard," said Godlewski, who produced a 50 fly split of 25.71 on Wheeling's medley relay and is taking college recruiting visits in the early stages of the season. "I'm trying not to be too concerned with every time - I'm doing everything I can to make sure conference, sectional and state are what I'm hoping they can be."

Godlewski and Shannon Richards placed 1-2 in the backstroke for Wheeling, and Richards, Adrienne Rozmus, Talia Kahn and Godlewski won the 400 free relay in 4:07.33.

Wheeling coach Lisa Poynor is pleased with the gains she's seeing, particularly from a relatively strong junior class, and said Rozmus, Kahn, Paulina Stolarska and Adrianna Passannante are all helping the Wildcats stay competitive in duals.

Mortensen, meanwhile, is taking his own steps to see that the adjustment to high school swimming is made quickly. Mixing in the youth with returners such as Petro, Katherine Gorey, Kathryn Lutz and Zeynep Abat will give teams in the MSL East trouble in duals all fall.

Johnstone, moments after winning the 500 freestyle, was back up on the block to take the leadoff leg of Hersey's 200 free relay.

"That was tough - and I wanted to emphasize the importance of 'team,' " said Mortensen.

Fremd d. Schaumburg: The host Vikings stayed unbeaten in the MSL West by topping the Saxons as senior Julia Portmann won both the shortest race (50-meter free, 29.82) and the longest (400 free, 4:46.66).

Other winners for Fremd included Loretta Stelnicki in the 200 IM (2:33.92), Grace Kneller in the 200 free (2:15.23), Grace Grzybek in the 100 fly (1:12.18) and Sydney Plichta in diving (208.95).

Crystal Lake Co-op d. St. Viator: Visiting Crystal Lake used a pair of pool record-breaking efforts from Valerie Tarazi to edge the Lions 53-41.

Tarazi won both the 100-yard freestyle (52.67) and the 200 IM (2:07.63) and had legs on both winning freestyle relays.

St. Viator won the medley relay with Gianna Chu, Georgia Christy, Ashley Alteri and Julia Nelson and got individual wins from Jackie Rose (200 free, 100 breast) and Alteri (100 fly).

Barrington d. Conant: The Cougars' Sam Wooley won the 50-yard freestyle (25.79), the 100 freestyle (56.26) and had legs on the winning medley and 200 freestyle relays as the host Fillies prevailed 106-79.

Individual wins for Barrington came from Megan Bosse (100 back), Andrea Vega (100 fly), Kirsten Jacobsen (200 IM) and Emma Graves (500 free).

Buffalo Grove d. Elk Grove: Senior Sarah Morosan won the 200-yard IM and the 100 back to help the visiting Bison in a 112-68 victory over the host Grens.

Elk Grove counted event victories from Alyssa Rosenorn (200 free, 100 free), Lindsey Hendren (50 free) and Sara Lasovska (500 free).

Palatine d. Hoffman Estates: Tess O'Brien had winning efforts in the 200-meter IM (2:42.00) and 100 fly (1:21.44), Kristin Anderson won the 200 free (2:21.47) and 100 back (1:15.15) and junior teammate Lily Zahn won the 50 free (29.27) and 400 free (4:58.66) to pace the visiting Pirates in a 117-64 decision. Andrea Ori and Elizabeth Johns gave Palatine a boost with a 1-2 finish in diving.

Casey Rawlings won the 100 breast for the Hawks in 1:24.89.

Prospect d. Rolling Meadows: Prospect senior Dana Liva surpassed 300 points for the second time this year, finishing at 302.75 to help the Knights to a 123-56 victory over the visiting Mustangs.

Prospect senior Rachel Rozow won the 200 IM and 100 fly and Knights junior Besty Rozow won the 50 free and 100 back.

Rolling Meadows had winners in Olivia Hepko (100 free), Jessie Ligenza (100 breast) and Grace Nykol (500 free).