Andresen likes the progress D300 co-op is making

While the District 300 (Dundee-Crown, Hampshire, Jacobs) boys swimming team didn't register a victory in a recent meet against the District 155 co-op team, coach Rick Andresen saw plenty of progress that has him optimistic about what lies ahead.

"We had a good meet," he said. "We saw a lot of encouraging things and we saw some things that need work. We are getting better, but we need to tighten some things. The times we swam were very respectable. We had nice time drops in some events. All of the hard work we did during the holiday break might be paying off. I'm pleased overall, especially with the improvement of our younger kids."

Andresen reeled off a long list of swimmers who made strides in the meet against D155. Senior Caleb Knottnerus (Jacobs) won the 100 (50.87) and took second in the 50 (23.30, finishing .02 out of the top spot). Hampshire junior Francis Ogaban won the 200 IM and won the backstroke with a time under 55 seconds.

"Francis' time in the backstroke was encouraging," said Andresen.

Freshman Reid Coyle (Hampshire) was second in the 100 free (54.25) and he also swam in the 50.

Andresen also lauded the performance of junior Cole Guenther (Jacobs) in the 200.

"Cole had a good meet," said Andresen. "He was second in the 200 with a lifetime best of 1:58.80. He then came back and won the 500 with a 5:13.06."

Andresen noted Guenther's previous best in the 500 was a 5:27. "He dropped real good," he said. Guenther, Andresen added, also had a strong showing at the Maine South relay invite (competing in the 500 relay).

Freshman Elijah Stuart had good butterfly and backstroke swims against District 155, while Dundee-Crown freshman Lucas Becker swam a personal record in the breaststroke.

Junior Dane Cipparone (Jacobs) is making progress as well in his third year with the program.

"Dane is putting more effort into it. His times have come down nicely," said Andresen. "I'm real happy for him. With how hard he's working, it's paying off. He had a goal in the breaststroke to do a 1:14 and he did a 1:14. Now we'll have to redo his goal-setting."

In addition to Cipparone, junior Kevin Derby (Jacobs) and Becker also had success in the breaststroke against 155. Derby earned a PR of 1:09.7, while Becker's 1:14.7 time also was a PR.

"We're improving," said Andresen. "We need to work on some of the finer points and have a better idea what we are doing racing rather than just swimming."

District 155 co-op update: The Cary-Grove District 155 co-op team was off to a 2-0 start in duals. The team also recently took second at the Elk Grove invite without any divers.

"That figured into scoring for first place," said District 155 coach Rick Schaefer.

Individually, Mitch Robak has broken the Prairie Ridge 100 breaststroke record, while Nick Jasinski is the new holder of the Crystal Lake Central 100 butterfly record.

Cary-Grove's Cooper Langanis moved closer to the state cut at Elk Grove with a 1:46.75 effort in the 200.

"Cooper should make the 500 as well," Schaefer pointed out.

Robak also is moving closer to the state cut in the breaststroke (1:04.98)."Mitch is six seconds ahead of last year's results," the coach said.

Jasinski, a freshman, also is closing in on state times in the fly (56.96) and backstroke (56.51).

Schaefer likes the progress the team has made with block starts and noted starting blocks were installed at its training facility at the end of December. Schaefer added breakouts and turns have been added areas of focus of late.

The team also has been bolstered by the contributions of freshmen Jasinski, Connor Dolezal and Nolan Hare.

"We only have one senior on the team, so we look to be even stronger next season," said Schaefer. "Right now, we have a core group of solid workers, including a freshmen core that works hard daily to earn varsity events. It has put some pressure on the older swimmers to look over their shoulders."

The team's relays are also coming into form.

"We have struggled a little on the medley. We're working on our fly effort," said Schaefer. "Our 400 relay is in the low 3:20s and we have three or four different combos that we could go with. Realistically, we have six swimmers trying to make that relay. The 200 relay has been decent. We're looking for leadoff breakout swims. We want to break 1:30 in the next few meets."

Depth also has been on the team's side this season. "We are swimming 16 on the varsity level, which gives us improved depth," said Schaefer. "Swimmers may swim less events at conference and sectionals, which may help improve swims, especially later in meets."

Elgin-Larkin update: The Elgin-Larkin co-op team placed first in every event except the 100 butterfly in a recent dual meet with South Elgin.

"We have done this in numerous meets this season, but because of our numbers we only have been able to enter one or two swimmers per event," said coach John Means.

On the individual front, the 200 relay team of Jakob Woerner, Durand Thorne, Chris Wahlund and Pablo Chavez have gone 1:39.58 in that event, which is a few seconds off the school record.

Overall, Means likes what he's seen from the group thus far.

"They are a team. They cheer for each other, they help each other and they are trying to make each other better," he said. "Now that these former freshmen are juniors, they have matured and know what it takes to be leaders. I think we will definitely surprise some teams the remainder of the season. We will have some relays that step up and perform better."

Huntley update: The Red Raiders recently placed seventh at the Rockford Auburn relays.

At Rockford, the trio of senior Bryan Haage and juniors Aaron Vandy and Quin Landoch took third in the 150-yard freestyle (50, 50, 50) relay with a time of 1:14.47.

Huntley coach Barry Wells said the team's has been hard at work on executing more efficient flip turns and better stroke technique. He added the team continues to work on starts (Huntley has no starting blocks at its practice facility).

"They are dedicated and work hard, but still find ways to make it fun," said Wells.

Wells has high hopes for Haage.

"Bryan is an exceptional swimmer," he said. "He has the potential to qualify for state in multiple events."

Wells said all eyes are on the meets at the end of the season.

"We're going to work hard every day and get faster so we can peak for conference and sectionals," he said.