A Stampede of record efforts at Buffalo Grove

The records continue to fall at Buffalo Grove's new swimming and diving facility.

As the Bison hosted the first large invitational meet in their new digs, 12 teams gave their best mid-season efforts, with four impressive performances earning acclaim as the best yet in the eight-lane, all-deep water facility.

Wheeling senior Theresa Godlewski left her mark with a pair of records, winning the 100-yard backstroke in 59.67 and the 50 free in 24.70. Hersey freshman Olivia Kusio won the 100 breaststroke in a record 1:09.06, also a season-best for her.

And Prospect senior Dana Liva came up with a big effort in diving, winning the 11-dive event with 499.50 points.

For an elite competitor like Liva, who recently gave a verbal commitment to Wisconsin and cancelled her remaining recruiting trips, a near-miss at 500 points was more pertinent than the record.

"She was actually pretty disappointed," said Prospect coach Alfonso Lopez, whose team took top honors in the meet with 460 points, just ahead of Hersey (435.5), Conant (306), Huntley (242), Rolling Meadows (177) and the host Bison (146). "She'd had one dive that was giving her some trouble, and she was able to clean that one up. But I think she really wanted 500."

As usual, Prospect's best asset was cumulative depth. The Knights placed well in all the relays and got a victory from Betsy Rozow, Samantha Berkley, Rachel Rozow and Gracie Dix in the 200 free relay (1:43.86). Their overall strength was such that they were even able to weather a DQ in what would have been a high-placing finish in the 100 backstroke.

"I'm seeing everybody make small gains for us," said Lopez, "and the overall effect is that we're really making progress as a team. We have great competition for just about every spot in our lineup."

Ellie McGough took third in the 200 free, Rachel Rozow was fourth in the 200 IM and 100 breast and Nikki Neumann was third in the 100 back for the Knights.

Hersey sophomore Jenny Lutz won the 100 fly in 1:02.71, and Sarah Petro, Katherine Gorey, Abby Johnstone and Kusio capped the afternoon by winning the 400 free relay in 3:49.14. Kusio also took second in the 50 free (25.03), and freshman Madeline Bovino was second in diving (357.00). Other key finishes came from Petro in the 200 free (second) and 500 free (third).

Conant had plenty of good news as Allison Cicero won the 200 IM (2:14.95) and 500 free (5:19.80) and Paulina Wolska won the 200 free (2:02.81); they teamed up with Sam Wooley and Lea Cejvan for the winning 200 medley relay (1:56.81). Cejvan also was third in the 100 breast (1:10.63) and Wolska was second in the 500 free.

Buffalo Grove senior Sarah Morosan produced an impressive win in the 100 free (55.21), and Rolling Meadows' top finish came from Bailey Rowley, second in the 100 fly (1:03.86).

The meet was a welcome change for the Mustangs, who were on the rebound after a disappointing mid-week Mid-Suburban League dual.

"I told the girls, 'This is an amazing pool - now, use it,' " said Rolling Meadows coach Monika Chiappetta. "It's great to have the chance to swim in one of the best pools in northern Illinois, with state-of-the-art everything. I like the way we responded."

Especially appreciative of the setting were Huntley and coach George Keenan. Without a pool at the school, the Red Raiders have a relatively small team of 17 athletes but are making the most of their 3-lane practices in shared time at the Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center.

"I know everybody loves the new pool here," said Keenan, "but six lanes, 25 yards? Heck, we'd love to have their old pool."

Hailey Hill had Huntley's top finish, taking second in the 100 backstroke (1:02.94), and the Red Raiders' 400 free relay was also strong as Emily Ferguson, Hill, Lindsay Ferguson and Jackie Padal took second in 3:54.36.

St. Viator was without its full complement of swimmers, but coach Jamie Klotz was pleased with a bunch of the Lions' efforts, notably Georgia Christy's 26.36 seventh-place finish in the 50 free.

"I've got a bunch of kids who are right on the edge of having breakout performances," said Klotz.