Hinsdale Central has a big day
There is much truth to the annual statements made by swimming coaches claiming that all that matters at the sectional meet is advancing as many athletes to the state meet as possible.
But that said, wins and pool records do feel good, and that's why several DuPage County standouts left the Downers Grove South sectional meet on Saturday with great vibes heading into next week's state finals at New Trier High School.
No one feels better than team champion Hinsdale Central. The Red Devils won all three relay races and six individual titles while scoring 299 points to edge defending state champion Lyons Township (283). York was third at 147 and the Glenbard West-South co-op was fourth at 141.
The Red Devils qualified two swimmers to state in four of the events, so 11 individual swimmers move on along with the trio of relay squads.
But there were some other big efforts on Saturday, including Lake Park freshman Benjamin Kimmel's pool record time while taking second in the 100 back, and teammate Eric Sgarbossa's fourth straight state berth in the 100 breast. York also qualified three swimmers and one diver to state, while Downers Grove North qualified at least one diver along with Ben Ellstrom, who was one of seven swimmers to make the state cut in the 100 back.
"I can't wait for next week. Obviously, the kids swam extremely well and set themselves up for some pretty good swims next week," Hinsdale Central coach Bob Barber said. "We wanted to get through. We felt like this was the way we had to do it, so we're very proud with what they've done."
Hinsdale Central senior Franco Reyes looks primed for another big splash at state. Last year he won the crown in the 100 butterfly and swam on two state-champion relays. At Saturday's sectional Reyes won the 100 butterfly, was second in the 50 free and swam on both the 200 medley and 200 free relays that topped the field at Downers Grove South.
"It's a great feeling. Putting our names up on the board somewhere else feels pretty good," Reyes said.
Reyes set the pool record with his split in the 200 free relay. He also helped the Red Devils set pool records with their winning times in both the medley relay and the 200 free relay.
"It's definitely a confidence boost, but we all would probably agree that we can do even better next week. But I think it's nice to win this sectional," Reyes said.
Donovan Lahmann also came up big for the champs, winning both the 100 and 200 free races along with a pair of relay titles, including the day's final event, the 400 free relay. In that last race he teamed with Conor Dunne, Cullen Cochlan and Cole Grosshans for a sparkling time of 3:08.21, almost two full seconds off the record at a pool that at one time hosted state meets.
"This was a nerve wracking meet definitely. You just want to get into next week," Lahmann said. "Next week's all fun. We'll see how that goes, but it seems to be working out for us so far."
In the 100 back Lyons Township's Spencer Walker was first with a record time of 50.73, but the Lancers' Kimmel also bested the pool's previous best time with a 51.78. York's Alex Marlott was third and joined the group of seven state qualifiers in the event.
"I was excited for it, and I was ready to go," said Kimmel, who had been battling illness. "I was sick last week and missed four days of school. My goal today was to get the state time and be around my seed time. Now I think I might place (at state), and it's going to be fun for me and Eric (Sgarbossa)."