Rosary back to its dominating self
In recent years host West Chicago has been a gracious host at its girls swimming invite, but the Wildcats haven't had much to feel good about in the way of results.
At Saturday's meet, dominated by defending state champion Rosary, the Wildcats may have gotten a preview of better times ahead when freshman Kelly Dunn finished second in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.36 behind the Beads' Kara Savegnago.
Rosary won all but two events, which both went to Neuqua Valley, in showing that it's on track to prove that last year's state title was no fluke.
The Beads, who swept the relays and saw Savegnago (the 50 and 100 freestyle) and Kally Fayhee (the 200 and the 500 freestyle) win two individual events each, finished with 433 points to second-place Lyons Twp.'s 291. Neuqua Valley was third with 263 followed by Waubonsie Valley with 249.
"Today's wins were confidence boosters," said Fayhee. "They make you want to work harder and harder. We're pumped. Winning last year makes us want to do it again."
West Chicago scored 106.5 and beat out only Lake Park (52), but the Wildcats left with a feeling of optimism based on the performances of Dunn, who also tied for fifth in the 100 backstroke, Caitlyn Madsen, who was third in the 200 freestyle, and a pair of relay teams, the 200 medley and the 200 freestyle, which both took home fifth place.
Rosary coach Bill Schalz said his girls are conscious that they are the defending state champions and they are working hard to repeat.
"This year's upperclassmen are picking up the leadership role," Schalz said.
"All of our relays are great, and Kally and Kara are swimming faster than they were at this point last year. Last year, we started changing up their strokes and we're seeing the results of that. Kara has matured. She's starting to think more about how she approaches races. Kally is hitting her stride."
The Beads' other winners were 100 butterfly state-champion Olivia Scott in the fly, Elisabeth Tavierne in the 100 backstroke and freshman GiSun Pak in the 100 breaststroke.