Waubonsie's Hunt ties for third at state
Hannah Hunt's time on Waubonsie Valley's girls swim team ended with the conclusion of the girls state finals at Evanston, but the second of three Hunt sisters to come through the Warriors program more than left her mark before exiting the prep scene.
Hunt tied Rosary's Alexis Yager for third in the 100-yard breaststroke and provided the best finish of any area swimmer in the process.
"I feel that of all my years, this was my best state meet," Hunt said. "It's great that it's senior year, and it's a good way to go out. As a freshman, I didn't really know what to expect."
Hunt qualified for the state meet in the 200 IM and finished 13th in prelims, just missing a chance to swim in Saturday's finals in the event. She did, however, qualify in the 100 breaststroke, an event in which she finished ninth as a junior. Saturday's 1:02.97 time set a Waubonsie Valley record.
"She's done a very good job over the last four years," Waubonsie Valley coach Katie Peterson said. "She kind of came into herself and became the swimmer she is today, and the one that will go on to Vanderbilt. We're really excited about the success she's had over the last four years. She's been a real leader, and it showed this weekend at the state meet."
Hunt had to overcome some adversity throughout high school, but Peterson said the experience made her a strong senior swimmer.
"She's not only a leader in the water but she's a vocal presence," Peterson said. "She wants to make sure that the benefit of the team is what's important. Her sophomore year, she was part of the 200 free relay and last year she wasn't. Last year she didn't swim the IM because someone beat her out. This year she wanted to have that spot back, and she trained harder than ever to make sure it happened."
Hannah Hunt is one of three Hunt sisters to have scored in the state meet. Madeline Hunt, a 2014 graduate, placed as high as fourth in the 50 freestyle. She is a member of the Vanderbilt team that Hannah joins next fall.
"I always watched my older sister, even when I wasn't in high school yet," Hannah Hunt said. "I knew how exciting it was and what the atmosphere was like. Coming and being in the water was really cool, but also I felt the pressure. Having my sister there to help me was good."
Youngest sister Lily, a sophomore, scored in relays as a freshman and was part of the Warriors' 12th-place 200 medley relay.
"I wanted to give her the same help my older sister gave me," Hannah Hunt said. "It's been cool leading these last couple of years. We have more underclassmen on the team than upperclassmen. They have a really good future at Waubonsie Valley swimming."
Combined, Hunt's breaststroke swim, the medley relay and an 11th-place finish in the 200 freestyle relay, Waubonsie Valley finished 21st in the state meet.
Hinsdale Central had the strongest team finish of any area team. The Red Devils were ninth, placed their medley relay sixth, the 200 free relay sixth and the 400 free relay seventh. Mia Chiappe was 11th in the 100 freestyle and Hollis Clark was eighth in the 100 backstroke.
Neuqua Valley finished 12th. The Wildcats opened the day well when their medley relay finished third. Kayleigh Cannon was eighth in the 100 butterfly and Amanda Brockmeier finished with a 12th-place finish in the 100 breaststroke.
"This weekend was a much fun," Brockmeier said. "We were super excited from sectionals and we came in hoping to do the best that we could."
While many Wildcats, including Cannon return, Brockmeier's time in the program has ended.
"I'm so proud to represent my team and Neuqua and to be on the team for four years and to have been here at the state meet three times," Brockmeier said. "This was the most excited I was for state and the whole meet was really great not only for me but my team."
Naperville North's Connie Zhang won the consolation heat in the 200 freestyle and claimed seventh place. She returned to the water and took fifth in the 100 freestyle for her best finish in a state meet.
"I was a little nervous because I was afraid I wouldn't do as well in the 100 as I did in the 200. I'm pretty happy with how I did," Zhang said.
Few top swimmers get to that level without working hard, and Zhang is one of those hardworking high-achieving athletes.
"Her work ethic is outstanding," Naperville North coach Andy McWhirter said. "She's always pushing herself, staying before school and after school. Heading toward the taper, other girls did not have to come in to for morning practice, and she continued to come in all by herself, and that's kind of tough."
Zhang said one of the keys is that she is never satisfied with her performances. There is always something on which to improve, and she's always searching for whatever it is that will help her get better.
"Once I start seeing the results that I want, I want to work harder and harder to get better results," Zhang said. "I have been that way ever since I started swimming when I was 8 years old."
Zhang was Naperville North's only state qualifier, and that left her training alone following the Metea Valley sectional two weeks ago.
"Swimming 5,000-6,000 yards by yourself in training is kind of tough, but she was willing to do it," McWhirter said. "Her underwater work has improved. Her strength has gotten better, but her work underwater is fantastic."
For her part, Zhang said she found ways to motivate herself through those training sessions.
"Sometimes it gets a little lonely and it's a little hard to see others get to relax or do less yardage than I had to do," Zhang said. "At the end it's all worth it because you see such great results."
Addison Trail's Elissa Haake was ninth in the 200 freestyle and 10th in the 100 freestyle.