Confident Mundelein edges Libertyville
With the sectional and state meets looming in a few short weeks, Mundelein boys swimming coach Rahul Sethna knew an ingredient was missing from the recipe.
Well, his troops gave their coach what he was looking for Thursday night, as the host Mustangs slipped past rival Libertyville 101-85 in North Suburban Conference action.
"We raced well and we raced with some emotion. It was great to see," Sethna said shortly after the crowd erupted upon learning its team had prevailed. "You can have a great swim and time, and still lose the race. Our focus now is to not swim well, but to race well. That starts with the idea of believing you can win."
Duncan Black was one of the standouts and multiple winners for Mundelein. He captured victories in the 50-yard freestyle (23.06) and then the 100 freestyle (50.87).
Black also swam on the winning 200 medley relay team (1:44.35), joining forces with Mike Ward, Ryan Magee and Eric Kozokar. Ward also captured first place in 100 backstroke (58.12).
Jake Gonzalez also picked up a couple of victories for Mundelein. He swam a 2:16.08 in taking the 200 individual medley and followed up with a victory in the 100 butterfly (1:01.55).
Mundelein junior Will Garcia got into the act by winning the 500 freestyle with a personal-best and almost school-record time of 4:58.94.
Graduation took its toll on Libertyville, which finished second in the state last year.
"We're tired and worn out but we're right at our season-best times, and we've also been nearing our personal-best times," first-year Libertyville coach Mike Cunningham said. "So to achieve that when we're in that condition is great. With some much-needed rest, we'll be ready for state."
One Wildcat who looks forward to resting up before making his final push in the state series is Matt Harrington.
The Princeton-bound senior won two individual events, while also contributing on two winning relays. Harrington clocked a 1:43.39 in the 200 freestyle to break Mundelein's pool record.
"I'm tired but I can't complain," said Harrington, who shares team captain duties with Justin Fu, Mark Boynton and Jordan Mitchell. "I'm swimming a lot faster than in the past at this point in the season. I think it has a lot to do with maturing mentally as well as getting stronger.
"It's always great to face Mundelein," he added. "A lot of the guys know each other and are friends. And it's a good chance to see where we stand as a team heading into the stretch run."
Harrington won the 100 breaststroke (1:05.26) and also teamed up with Boyton, Mitchell, and Fu to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:31.52). In the final event of the evening, Harrington combined efforts with Noah Jamieson, Eric Turner and Fu in winning the 400 freestyle relay.
Jacob Reichert was the other event winner for Libertyville, as he captured diving with 224.00 points.