Prospect passes key test against Hersey as Liva soars

Last season, Prospect ended Hersey's six-year string of girls swimming and diving championships in the Mid-Suburban East.

This fall, it looks like Prospect has started a streak of its own.

On senior night for the Knights at Wheeling's pool, Prospect used a 1-2-3 finish in the 100-yard backstroke to pull away from Hersey 101-85 in the matchup pitting the top two teams in the MSL East.

Prospect still needs a victory against Wheeling next week for an outright championship, but the toughest obstacle to repeat has been cleared - and in breathtaking fashion.

Knights senior diver Dana Liva made sure of that, hitting all six of her dives on the way to breaking her own team and pool records with a 311.65 score. The lowest score the Wisconsin-bound standout received on any dive was a 6. She was awarded nothing below an 8 on her first dive, a back dive in the pike position.

"Funny thing is, she's not satisfied," said Prospect diving coach Antonino Bondi. "She was hoping to hit 320 today. She's so self-motivated, it makes it really easy to coach her. You just point her in the right direction and let her go."

The same could be said for Prospect's overall approach on Thursday. The Knights needed every last point to eke out a win at Olympic Pool against Hersey last season, but they seemed comfortable in more familiar surroundings.

"I think it helps to be at home," said Prospect junior Betsy Rozow, who finished second in the 50-yard freestyle (25.53) behind Hersey's Olivia Kusio (25.32) and had a leg on the Knights' winning 200 medley relay (1:57.26). "Having gone through it last year, I think it helped us stay confident today. I'm so proud of everybody on our team."

Prospect senior Rachel Rozow won a tight race with Hersey's Sarah Petro in the 200 IM before the Huskies' Jenny Lutz won the 200 free. After diving, Lutz won the 100 fly before Prospect's Gracie Dix won the 100 free.

Petro held off Ellie McGough to win a tightly contested 500 free in 5:33.75.

The next two events went sharply in Prospect's favor, as the Knights got a first-and-third finish in the 200 free relay to set the stage for the backstroke sweep from Niki Neumann, Michelle Vuong and Megan Pfeiffer.

Kusio won the 100 breast in 1:10.65, and Prospect won the 400 free relay in 3:53.14, but too much damage had been done.

"Prospect's girls won the close ones today," said Hersey coach Dick Mortensen. "It wasn't like we swam poorly - we had a lot of really great swims.

"But we're young - and winning takes practice."

Liva contributed a leadoff leg to one of Prospect's secondary 200 free relays and finished in 30.92. She's greatly enjoying the ride in her senior year and wants to savor every moment.

"I wish there was a way I could make everything slow down," she said.

Fremd d. Palatine: The Vikings stayed unbeaten in the MSL West by topping visiting Palatine as senior Grace Kneller won the 50-meter free (27.80) and 100 free (59.57) in terrific midseason times.

Fremd winners included Saki Takumiya in the 100 fly (1:06.82), Eric King in the 200 free (2:13.47) and 400 free (4:39.63), Grace Grzybek in the 200 IM (2:31.39) and Sydney Plichta in diving (236.70).

Conant d. Schaumburg: Sam Wooley, Lea Cejvan, Allison Cicero and Paulina Wolska each had legs on the winning 200-meter medley and 200 free relays to help the Cougars in a 114-71 outcome. Double winners for the Cougars included Cicero (200 IM, 100 free), Cejvan (100 fly, 100 breast) and Wooley (50 free, 100 back).

Rolling Meadows d. Elk Grove: Jessie Ligenza and Grace Nykol were both double winners to help the Mustangs earn an 89-80 victory against the Grenadiers. Ligenza was tops in the 200 IM (2:29.39) and 100 breast (1:16.88), while Nykol won the 200 free (2:14.33) and 500 free (5:58.85).

Elk Grove's Lindsey Hendren won the 50 free (27.16), the 100 free (58.32) and had legs on both winning freestyle relays.

Buffalo Grove d. Wheeling: Wheeling senior Theresa Godlewski set a pool record at Buffalo Grove in the 100 fly (1:00.07), but the Bison got the upper hand as a team in a 112-71 decision in the MSL East.

Godlewski also won the 50 free (24.89), and the Wildcats had top finishes from Adrienne Rozmus (200 IM, 500 free) and Paulina Stolarska (100 breast).

BG's individual winners included Sarah Morosan (200 free), Payton Perkinson (100 free), and Isabelle Samson (100 back).

Barrington d. Hoffman Estates: The Fillies remain unbeaten in MSL West duals with one left after a 120-31 victory over visiting Hoffman Estates. Winners for Barrington included Kael Ragnini (200 free), Maggie Menso (200 IM), Kirsten Jacobsen (50 free, 100 back), Andrea Vega (100 fly), Emma Barnett (100 free) and Emma Toth (500 free).

Casey Rawlings won the 100 breast and Nicole Castro won diving for the Hawks.