Boys swimming: Hersey aces matchup with Rolling Meadows

Both Hersey and Rolling Meadows had finished their final exams for the semester earlier in the day.

So Thursday's boys swimming and diving dual meet at Prospect served as a kind of athletic bonus test.

Hersey ended up getting the highest marks in claiming a 114-72 decision in a matchup of two of the Mid-Suburban East's top teams, but there were demonstrations of great aquatic aptitude from both groups.

Huskies senior Michael Petro perhaps had the best of them, as he broke pool records in both his individual races with victories. Petro finished the 200 IM in 1:55.69 and later took the 100 fly in 50.89. Bookending that were his legs on the winning medley and 400 free relays.

Rolling Meadows senior Josh Dellorto joined the record-breaking effort by establishing a pool standard in the 50 free - 21.78, just a blink off his lifetime best in that race.

"I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure where that came from," Dellorto said.

There were several out-of-the blue swims of that ilk, including the medley relays for both teams. Hersey's Petro, Spencer Burkhalter, Gavin Hill and Jack Blumenfeld won in 1:41.96, with Rolling Meadows' Dellorto, Jake Pors, Lukas Slifierz and Sam Keeley close behind in 1:43.08.

Both were season-best times by plenty.

"I think having finals always makes the dual that week a little bit hard to get 'up' for," said Rolling Meadows coach Monika Chiappetta. "But we had some really nice swims - best medley of the year by far, very encouraging. And Josh's 50 - I'm speechless."

Dellorto later won the 500 free in a race that left fans breathless. Hersey sophomore Gavin Hill made a late charge and nearly caught Dellorto, who ended up winning 4:59.99-5:00.12.

That was a big time drop for Hill, a sophomore who also won the 200 free (1:53.87).

Hersey coach Dick Mortensen says one defining trait of this year's team is the contributions it's getting from each class.

Among the top juniors on this occasion were Blumenfeld and diver Nick Nocita.

Blumenfeld came up with a key win in the 100 free (52.32) in addition to second in the 50 free and two winning relay legs.

Nocita is among the best divers in the MSL. He won on Thursday with a score of 239.25 - not close to his best, but Nocita was weighing the circumstances instead of being too hard on himself.

"One thing you start to realize, if you're competing while you're tired or stressed or whatever, is how the little things can make a big difference," he said. "Like, say you didn't sleep great the night before - that's probably going to show up, but a lot of times you don't really realize it until after it's over."

As for Hersey freshmen, Ethan Marunde placed second behind junior teammate Burkhalter in the 100 breast and just minutes later came up with a leg on the winning 400 free relay (3:25.87).

Another freshman, Rolling Meadows' Slifierz, won the 100 back (57.86) and placed second in the 200 IM. Senior Jake Pors was second in the 100 free and 100 breast, and senior Andrew Tavares was second in the 100 fly (58.38) and third 200 IM (third, 2:10.38).

But there was too much depth and balance in Hersey's favor on this occasion, and the outcome has the Huskies entertaining thoughts of earning the first divisional title for the program in more than 10 years.

"These kids keep building confidence," Mortensen said. "Coach (Brad) Baker and I have been telling them, 'If you can come in here and practice with confidence, and then race with that same confidence, we're on the right track.'

"It's finals week, their brains are fried - but they looked confident to me."

A remaining test will be a late January meet against two-time defending MSL East champ Prospect. If Hersey is able to win the rest of its duals, it would mean the Huskies' girls and boys programs both went unbeaten against East foes this school year.

"What I like is that it's our kids telling me that," Mortensen said. "The fact that they're thinking that way says a lot to me."

Hersey is anticipating a tough Saturday workout, which includes what has become a Huskies holiday dryland tradition: Merry Lunge-mas. Mortensen said it's about a half-mile worth of lunges, with the more capable members toting the added burden of 45-pound weights.

Petro is among those looking forward to the challenges, both short- and long-term. Recently committed to Louisiana State, the state runner-up in the 200 IM and 100 fly is enjoying the completeness of this year's team.

"These are the guys I've been with here - this is my class," he said. "I think that's making it a lot more fun for me."

Buffalo Grove d. Elk Grove: The visiting Bison were able to win all the relays and got twin wins from Daniel Verdico in a 127-54 decision.

Verdico was tops in the 500 free (5:12.89) and 100 breast (1:05.62) and also had a leg on the 400 free relay.

Elk Grove also had a pair of double winners. Senior Mike Kulpa was tops in the 200 IM (2:10.80) and 100 free (50.61), and junior Adrian Wlodarz won the 200 free (1:55.59) and 100 fly (59.68).

Prospect d. Wheeling: The Knights stayed unbeaten against MSL East competition by topping the host Wildcats 139-46.

Double individual winners for Prospect were Nick Lagowski (200 free, 50 free) and Joshua Nam (200 IM, 100 free).

Prospect's Jacob Kosinski edged out Wheeling's Nick Konstantos 1:02.83-1:03.45 in a matchup of two of the MSL's top breaststrokers.

Wheeling got a win in the 200 free relay from Anthony Delgado, Leo Monaxios, Tom Bradford and Paul Szczepanski.