Zahn, Palatine edge out Conant

Senior year got here early for Palatine's Lily Zahn.

Though in just her third season as a key member of the Pirates' girls swimming and diving team, Zahn in is her last year of high school competition. She'll graduate early in pursuit of greater classroom challenges in advance of a promising collegiate future.

"I love having Lily," said Palatine coach Brittany Berleman, "because she shows that you can do it well, athletically and academically, at the same time."

The athleticism was on display during Palatine's senior night, as the Pirates wrapped up their Mid-Suburban League duals with a contest against visiting Conant.

Zahn won both her individual races with strong finishes, edging Conant's Paulina Wolska in the 200-meter freestyle (2:15.82-2:15.88), and surging through final 25 of the 100 fly to edge Allison Cicero 1:07.61-1:08.18.

Zahn also had legs on Palatine's top two freestyle relays, which turned out to be pivotal in the meet's outcome. Palatine won both of them, and used a 1-2 finish in the 400 relay to finally get some separation and win 98-88 in a meet that was close the whole way.

Palatine junior Kristin Anderson won the 50 free (27.62) and 100 free (1:01.27) and also had legs on both freestyle relays as Palatine earned a third-place finish in the Mid-Suburban West.

Conant's Sam Wooley, Lea Cejvan, Cicero and Wolska got the meet started with a nice winning effort in the medley relay (2:13.46). Cicero won the 200 IM (2:33.78), Emily Weingart won diving (212.80), Wooley won the 100 back (1:14.74) and Cejvan won the 100 breast (1:20.43).

"In a meet like this, you lose a couple of the close ones and it's tough to overcome," said Conant coach Justin Bickus.

It was also the final MSL dual for Conant seniors Cicero, Wolska, Weingart and Sarah Gregory. Unfortunately, as Conant's pool undergoes renovation, the Cougars haven't had a true home meet this season, and practices have been held at Schaumburg. But Bickus likes the way his group has responded.

"It's actually turned out a lot better than I thought it might," he said. "We've got one of the better teams we've had recently, and I think that helps. Everyone has just adjusted and kept a positive outlook on things."

One positive on Thursday for Palatine was a strong 100 backstroke from sophomore Katelyn Kurrie (1:16.02), followed up by a strong leadoff leg from the same swimmer in the 400 free relay.

"She was keeping up with Lily to lead off that relay, so that's a really nice swim for Katelyn," Berleman said.

The same top four Palatine freestylers - Tess O'Brien, Zahn, Kelsey Hank and Anderson - won the 200 relay (1:54.60) and 400 relay (4:14.86). Both those quartets have a chance to race at the state meet if things finish well for Palatine.

Prospect d. Wheeling: The Knights put the finishing touches on their second straight MSL East championship with a 128-55 decision over the Wildcats.

Rachel Rozow won the 200-yard IM and 100 breast and had legs on two winning relays for Prospect, which got another tremendous score from senior diver Dana Liva (311.75).

Wheeling senior Theresa Godlewski won both the 50 free (24.63) and the 100 back (1:00.47).

Fremd d. Hoffman Estates: Fremd completed its MSL slate without a loss in a 100-50 victory over the visiting Hawks.

Seniors Erica King (50 free), Saki Takumiya (100 free) and Sydney Plichta (diving, 246.30) each were individual winners in their final home MSL dual meet, and Emily Bolger (200 free, 400 free) won twice for the Vikes.

Casey Rawlings provided a win for Hoffman Estates in the 100 breaststroke (1:24.48).

Barrington 135, Schaumburg 50: The Fillies completed an unbeaten run against MSL West opponents with a 135-50 victory over the visiting Saxons.

Notable wins for the Fillies came from Andrea Vega in the 500-yard freestyle (5:17.23), Kael Ragnini in the 100 back (1:06.64), Emma Toth in the 200 free (2:00.99), Emma Graves in the 200 IM (2:19.66) and Sara Kate Capel in the 50 free (25.16).

Hersey d. Elk Grove: Sarah Petro came up with victories in the 100 breast (1:15.79) and 100 free (57.91) to help the host Huskies wrap up a second-place MSL East finish in a 128-57 decision.

The Grens got wins from Sara Lasovska in the 500 free and Alyssa Rosenorn in the 100 fly.