advertisement

Mundelein edges improving Vernon Hills

Upon entering the Vernon Hills High School pool Thursday night, you couldn't help sense that something big was possibly going to transpire.

And, depending on your angle, it almost did.

Since opening its doors in 2002, the Vernon Hills varsity boys swimming team has never beaten Mundelein. That didn't change Thursday, but the results suggest it might in the near future.

The meet was close throughout, and with Mundelein ahead 88-84, it came down to the last event for all the marbles.

Mustangs junior Will Garcia had an inkling that things were tight.

"Our team goals always come first," said Garcia, who swam the second leg of the winning 400 freestyle relay team that won that last event and clinched the victory for Mundelein. "We just told ourselves we need to win this one to win the meet and to forget about all of the other races."

The formula worked because Garcia joined Eric Kozokar, Jeremy Westgate and Duncan Black, who posted a winning time of 3:27.59 to help Mundelein previal 98-88. Garcia, known for his long-distance success, also won the 200-freestyle in 1:54.03, and followed that up with a victory in the 500 freestyle in 5:06.29.

Mike Ward was also an event winner for Mundelein, capturing the 100 backstroke in 56.68.

Vernon Hills actually won eight out of 12 events on the evening. That included starting the meet off in electrifying fashion with a come-from-behind win in the 200 medley relay. Jeffrey and Derek Zhang combined efforts with Brian Rabinowitz and anchor Nathan McAdams, who equaled the school record in a winning time of 1:42.18.

"That was one exciting race," Cougars fourth-year coach Adam Lueken said. "Dual meets are about who has more depth and I'm very encouraged with where our program is headed. It's been a season of change and the state meet is in sight!"

Rabinowitz also picked up a victory in the 100 butterfly, where he swam a 55.58, while Calvin Yoon picked up victories in a couple of individual events as well. Yoon won the 200 individual medley in 2:14.2 and later won the 100 breaststroke (1:06.50).

"We had a hard set the day before and our sole focus was to beat Mundelein," said Vernon Hills fourth-year head coach Adam Lueken. "We knew it was going to be an uphill battle but I couldn't be more proud of the guys."

Conrad Kocoj was also a multiple event winner, capturing the 50 freestyle in 22.71 seconds and later the 100-freestyle (49.54). Kocoj also swam anchor when he joined Jeffrey Zhang, Richard Padovano, and McAdams in winning the 200 freestyle relay in 1:32.62.

The Cougars' Gene Palazkou won the 1-meter diving event with a total score of 155.50.

"We don't have any studs - we have a lot of depth and had a lot of great swims tonight," Mundelein coach Rahul Sethna said. "And I can't tell you how phenomenal of a job Adam has done at Vernon Hills. They get better and better every year."

The rivalry aspect was put aside momentarily when everyone in attendance and athletes from both schools were up and cheering when Alex Aquende, a special needs athlete for Vernon Hills, swam his first-ever competitive race, the 50 freestyle.

"It's his first year swimming and he loves it," added Lueken. "He's always smiling and asking questions and is a true inspiration to all of us. Our managers (Pricilla Yim and Pam Liu) are terrific with him. They help him with exercises and were really focused on getting him to the wall, so after talking to his parents, we got him in a race."

  Mundelein's Will Garcia battles against Vernon Hills' Jeffrey Zhang in the 200-yard freestyle Thursday at Vernon Hills. Garcia won the race. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills diver Gene Palazkou twists is way to a victory during Thursday's meet against visiting Mundelein. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills teammates cheer on Alex Aquende as he competes in his first-ever race, the 50-yard freestyle, on Thursday against visiting Mundelein. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Vernon Hills swimmer Alex Aquende competes in his first-ever race, the 50-yard freestyle, during Thursday's meet against visiting Mundelein. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.