Metea Valley enjoys 'great day'
On a day when Rosary took a step toward its third straight state title, Metea Valley had arguably the best day of DuPage County teams at this year's IHSA girls swimming state meet prelims at New Trier.
The Mustangs qualified all three relays to the championship races of Saturday's state finals and added three individual swims. Competition at New Trier starts at 11 a.m.
"It was a great day," Metea Valley coach Mark Jager said. "We're pretty young, only losing two seniors. We're young and clearly pretty hungry."
Freshman McKenna Stone qualified in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 freestyle while sophomore Kellie Willhite qualified in the 100 breaststroke.
"We knew where we sat with the relays and what we had coming back and the freshmen we had coming in. With the short turnaround, it's going to be a test for the kids," Jager said.
Neuqua Valley also excelled in Friday's prelims, advancing its 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay and four individual swims. Maxine Parkinson qualified in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke; Tiffanie Ruan advanced in the 100 freestyle and Rachel Stege qualified in the 500 freestyle.
The Glenbard West-Glenbard South co-op had a special day, led by freshman Kate Morris' qualification in both the 200 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. The coop added to its day when the 200 freestyle relay qualified.
"I was a little upset I didn't make the 'A' final in 200 (freeestyle)," Morris said. "But the relay totally made up for it, making finals and scoring for the first time ever."
Hinsdale Central qualified its 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 100 butterflier Anna Gruvberger.
"We broke school records in the medley relay and the 200 free relay and fell just short of finals in both events," Hinsdale Central coach Bob Barber said. "So we catch the consolation heat in both, and both of them by tenths.
"It's an emotional meet. When you're going great, you feel unstoppable and then sometimes it hit you a bit and you have to recharge. I think that's what it is for us tonight. And we're going to have some fun (Saturday.)"
Naperville North's 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relays advanced, as did the Redhawks' Lisa Johnson in the 100 backstroke. Naperville Central's Connie Zhang qualified in the 100 backstroke. Downers Grove South's Makaila Scheiblein qualified in the 100 breaststroke.