Girls swimming: Anderson, Zahn set the pace for Palatine

With homecoming festivities Saturday night, Palatine's girls swim team was pressed for time at the St. Charles East College Events meet. But they made the most of their only opportunity to swim the longer distances in which college swimmers compete, finishing fifth of the seven competing teams.

"They did very well," Palatine coach Brittany Berleman said. "Usually when we come to this meet, they're so checked out. They stayed headstrong the entire day, and that was awesome. We even had some season best times today."

Palatine's top swimmer was junior Kristin Anderson, who was second in the 50-yard freestyle and fifth in the 100 freestyle. In college meets, those races take place back-to-back, so Anderson had a very busy 15 minutes in the middle of Saturday's meet.

"You deal with those things as a sprinter, going fast right away," Anderson said. "It's very mental. You've got to rely on the mental part, but also the physical part too."

There are only three weeks remaining until the start of the girls swimming postseason.

"There are highs and lows, and of course, I prefer the highs," Anderson said. "You hope you're happy with your times, and I am so far. This is a very fun group. I love them so much. They really love the sport, which I love as well."

Berleman said Anderson is close to her personal best times in both events.

"It's nice to see consistency in her 100," Berleman said. "It's good for her confidence as we head to conference and sectionals."

Palatine's other top finisher was Lily Zahn, who was third in the 200 butterfly and fourth in the 100 butterfly.

"This is a new event for her this year," Berleman said. "I had a lot of flyers last year, so this year, she's just switching to butterfly. She's stepped up, filled some big shoes, and I hope she makes it to the state meet."