Mundelein, Warren stay focused on seasonal goals
For high school swimmers, New Year's resolutions usually involve having a consistency in lowering their times that will hopefully culminate in a tough-to-achieve appearance at the state meet.
And while we've just entered the heart of the season, with the state meet waiting at the end of February, both Warren and Mundelein are right on point with their progress.
"We always have really competitive meets with Warren. The guys get pumped for them. We just take some of their punches and try not to blink," said Mustangs coach Rahul Sethna, whose team pulled out a close 102-83 decision in Gurnee. "I really think we're finding our stride. This is our fourth meet in five days but tonight we swam and raced well. Everyone contributed."
In the last event of the evening, Mundelein (3-1) put an exclamation mark of the dual meet win after the 400 freestyle relay teams finished 1-2. Brandon Kavanaugh, Patrick McInerney, Ryan Zentz and Hunter Magee took top honors with a 3:33.82. Right behind was the foursome of Parker Geary, Joe Duffy, Jake Gonzalez and Kyle Guzzio swimming a 3:43.49.
"That was a nice way to finish," added Sethna. "We lost a lot of big guns to graduation last year, but this team has really bought into the program and are forming their own identity."
Speaking of identity, junior Chris Carlson is one of many Mustangs that have turned some heads.
Carlson had quite a night, winning the 50 freestyle (23.68). He followed by taking second in the 100 freestyle (51.88) and also was the flyer on the first-place 200 medley relay, joining forces with Guzzio, Ryan Magee, and McInerney to finish in 1:46.71.
Carlson finished the evening by anchoring the 200 free, where he paired with Kavanaugh, McInerney, and Zentz to finish second in 1:34.11.
Other event winners for the Mustangs included Jeffrey Boudreau in the 500 freestyle (5:31.80) and Hunter Magee in the 200 free relay (1:57.94).
Now, as for the host Devils, these guys are swimming well too and look primed to get plenty of guys through sectionals.
"We like where we're at right now," said Warren coach Chris Bertana, whose troops slipped to 0-3 in NSC dual meet action. "We worked as hard as we could through the winter break and are dropping times every event."
Warren features many standout swimmers, but Bertana was quick to praise the efforts of senior Satya Arcot, who has been "rockin' it," according to the coach.
On Thursday night, Arcot did exactly that in winning the 200 IM (2:07.73) and 100 breaststroke (1:03.25).
"All of us put in a lot of training hours and I think this year I've improved because I'm a lot stronger," he said. "I have a lot of forward momentum and have been working on the little things, like underwaters, turns and pulling."
Arcot has never made the trip to state but things are hopefully going to be different in a little over a month from now.
"I'm gunning for it (qualifying for state)," said Arcot, whose will first look to qualify in his best event, the 100 breaststroke. His personal-best time was 1:00.85 at sectionals a year ago.
Against Mundelein, Arcot also joined forces with Brian Tabourot, Nathan Metz, and Leo Forney to win the 200-free relay (1:33.74).
Tabourot, another top swimmer for Warren, also won the 100 freestyle (50.77) and 100 backstroke (57.77).
Austin Edmondson also had a nice evening for Warren, winning the 100 butterfly (57.96) and taking second in the-100 backstroke (59.90).
Diver Zack Bongratz was out with illness, but Nicholas Hoppe won the 1-meter diving with 226.05 points.
And in a beautiful gesture shortly after the meet, the Mundelein team captains presented a card and donation to the Josh Church Memorial Fund.
Church, who was a standout swimmer for Warren, passed away suddenly a couple of months ago while competing in a club meet in Vernon Hills.
"Very classy on Mundelein's part," said an emotional Bertana. "Overall, the entire North Suburban Conference has been awesome with their support. We can't thank everyone enough."