Williams, Petro spar in elite butterfly matchup
In Round 1 of the Colin Williams-Michael Petro 100-yard butterfly showdown, give seniority the edge.
Williams, an Elk Grove senior, won what is likely the first of three head-to-head matchups between two of the Mid-Suburban League's top competitors - and perhaps the state's - in the event on Thursday in a dual hosted by Hersey at Olympic Pool in Arlington Heights.
The two were about even at the halfway point, with Williams touching in 24.65 and Petro in 24.71. But Williams had the stronger second half, finishing in 52.27 to Petro's 53.26.
Williams and Petro, a freshman, have the top two MSL times in the 100 fly so far this season.
Elk Grove coach Keith Kura was proud of Williams' performance and pleased to see him head into the holiday break with a time in the 100 fly that is representative of his past success in the event.
Kura also came away mightily impressed with what he saw from what is clearly an above-average freshman in the muscular, accomplished Petro.
"I'll tell you what, that's pretty impressive for a 14-year-old," said Kura. "I told Colin, we don't know what to expect, having never really raced one-on-one against (Petro) before. So that means you've got to really race it - and he did."
Hersey had the better of it in the team picture, winning 135-40 against a Grens team missing many members due to conflicting school events.
Petro won the 100 back (58.43) and had legs on the winning medley (1:47.34) and 200 free relays (1:34.18).
Hersey's Paul Kim won the 200 IM (2:14.68) and 100 breast (1:07.94), and the Huskies also had individual winners in Joshua Irvine (200 free), David Kuntz (50 free), Kristiyan Donov (100 free), Conor Stanley (500 free) and Riley Busche (diving, 217.15).
Elk Grove pieced together the winning 400 free relay as Williams, Bobby Hlavin, Michael Banasik and Andrew Keyser finished in 3:40.78.
Rounds 2 and 3 in the 100 fly seem likely for Petro and Williams - in the MSL meet and in the Glenbrook North sectional at season's end. And perhaps Rounds 4 and 5, in the state meet prelims and finals at New Trier.