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Naperville Central up to the challenge

Displaying the right combination of talent and depth, the Naperville Central boys swimming team took the Neuqua Valley sectional championship without winning any of the relays.

The Redhawks fought off a strong challenge by host Neuqua Valley, the winner of all three relays, to take the sectional title Saturday and put themselves in a good position to challenge for a top-three trophy at next week's state meet.

"The boys did a great job today," said Naperville Central coach Mike Adams. "We got a lot of guys qualified and we know we have to be swimming better every week."

Scott Piper won both the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke to lead his team to the narrow victory over the Wildcats. Piper was also a member of the 200 medley relay team that finished fourth, and the Redhawks were among the five Naperville-area teams that qualified all three relays.

"Today was great because it was a combination of returning state qualifiers and new guys making it for the first time," Piper said. "We have good momentum going into state because our morale is really high after winning this sectional."

Among the teammates Piper cited as new qualifiers were Nick Rosenstiel, who finished third in the 100 backstroke.

"We both went out fast," Piper said. "Nick just missed the cut last year, but this year he'll be going to state."

"I've been working hard," Rosenstiel said. "And I was tapered for this race. I knew I had to go out strong because I didn't do well last year."

Other Redhawks qualifiers were: Phillip Sajaev in both the 100 fly and the 100 breaststroke, Kyle Jackson in the breaststroke, Connor Walsh in the 100 free, Jimmy Fox in the 500 free, and first-timers Michael Stern in both the 200 and 500 free and Matt Wooten in the 200 freestyle. Add relay swimmers Christian May, Eric Gerlach and Liam Coakley to the mix and there will be a full complement of Naperville Central swimmers on the deck at the state meet.

Naperville Central finished the meet with 240 points, just ahead of Neuqua Valley, which scored 234.5 for a second-place finish.

The Wildcats are also poised to make an impact at state with those great relay teams and a bunch of individual swims.

"We weren't ranked in the top twenty all year long," said Neuqua Valley coach Chad Allen. "We don't have the superstars, but we have a lot of great options for the relays. Our focus for state has been on the relays and sweeping the relays was terrific, but we also qualified at least one swim in every event."

Some observers were surprised by the Wildcats' showing, but not Joe Widuch, who swam on all three relays and also qualified in the 100 fly.

"I wasn't surprised," Widuch said. "I've been practicing with these guys and I know what they can do. I think we'll shock a lot of people next week."

In third place Saturday was Metea Valley with 205 points.

The Mustangs were led by Matt Salerno and Jordan O'Brien, who finished 1-2 in the 100 breaststroke. O'Brien was the state champ in that event last year and Salerno finished second. On Saturday Salerno also won the 50 free and O'Brien finished second to Piper in the 200 IM. They were also on both the 200 medley and the 200 free relays.

"It was a good day in general," Salerno said. "We started strong in the medley and got better as the day went on."

The Mustangs' Alex Dillmann won the 100 butterfly and Connor Cast was the sectional diving champion.

"We have guys who can put some points up on the board," said Metea Valley coach Mark Jager. "I think we're in contention for a trophy."

Waubonsie Valley finished fourth with 169.5 and Naperville North followed with 140 points.

"We're right where we wanted to be at this point," said Waubonsie Valley coach Nick Arens. "All three relays and eight swims qualified. We're looking forward to next week."

"Our guys showed great courage and great ability today," said Andy McWhirter, Naperville North's coach. "Everyone dropped times and we got all three relays qualified. It was an awesome day."

Marmion was eighth with 76 points.

Andrew Kasper and Will Kamps both qualified as individuals and they made up half of the 400 freestyle relay team that made it to state. Anthony Bliss and Joey Reitter were their teammates on the relay.

"We're a young team," said Marmion coach Bill Schalz. "All of those guys but Kasper will be back next year, so the experience they'll get at state will be invaluable.

  Billy Troy of Naperville North swims the 200 yard freestyle during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Michael Schwers of Waubonsie Valley swims the 200 yard freestyle during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Matt Ciezczak of Neuqua Valley celebrates his 50 yard freestyle finish during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Matt Ciezczak of Neuqua Valley celebrates his 50 yard freestyle finish during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Joe Widuch of Neuqua Valley swims the 100 yard butterfly during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Matt Salerno of Metea Valley gives the thumbs up after his 50 yard freestyle first place finish during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Alex Dillman of Metea Valley swims the 500 yard freestyle during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Naperville Central swim coach Mike Adams, right, with Scott Piper and Ryan Lettane cheer on Jimmy Fox in the 500 yard freestyle during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Joe Widuch, Brett Whaley and Simon Shatinsky of Neuqua Valley finished first in the 200 yard medley relay during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Joey Dalesandro was the fourth leg of this winning team. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Scott Piper of Naperville Central waves to the crowd after winning the 200 yard IM during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Jordan O'Brien of Metea Valley swims the 200 yard IM during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  I.I. Qiao of Naperville North looks up after swimming the 200 yard IM during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Michael Peters of Neuqua Valley swims the 200 yard IM during the Neuqua Valley boys swimming sectional. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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