Benet's Galvin finishes strong

The defending state champion Rosary girls swimming team won the Neuqua Valley sectional championship Saturday, but the last part of the meet could realistically have been called "Sarah Galvin Time."

The Benet junior swam in three of the last five events of the day and qualified for state in all three.

Galvin, now a three-year state qualifier, finished second in the 500-yard freestyle, skipped the 200 freestyle relay, then won the 100 backstroke.

After the 100 breaststroke Galvin was back as the anchor for her Redwings teammates (sisters Brigid, Colleen and Maddi Webb) to a fourth-place finish and state qualification in the 400 freestyle relay.

"I've gotten used to having my races that close," Galvin said. "I just have to warm down, get something quick to eat and get back in the water again. I'm hoping to finish top three in both events at state."

In the first race of the day, Galvin swam the first leg of the 200 medley relay and the Benet team also qualified with an eighth-place finish.

In what is acknowledged as the strongest sectional in the state, the Redwings finished eighth but were still happy with the results.

Besides Galvin in two individual races and all three relays, Benet will be sending Cat Cortesio, who qualified in the 100 butterfly and Brigid Webb, who made it in the 200 freestyle to state next week.

"I can't say how happy I am," said Benet coach Nicole Kothe. "This definitely exceeded my expectations. Our team has matured and performing the way we did today in this competition really makes a difference. I knew we'd qualify in the two freestyle relays, but the medley was a little iffy."

Rosary won the meet with 267 points, which included victories in all three relays and four individual events.

Finishing second was Naperville Central with 197 points, which had sectional champions in Nicole Kmieciak in the diving and Erin Lamb in the 200 freestyle.

Neuqua Valley, which finished third with 180 points, was led by Atlantis Wilkins, who swam her fastest time ever, a 23.65 to win the 50 freestyle.

-- Neil Shalin

At York sectional:ΠIt was obvious it was going to be a special day for Downers Grove North.

The Trojans kicked off the meet with a 1:51.37 win in the 200-yard medley relay.

Then race after race there were a lot of purple caps during awards ceremonies and subsequent cheers from a purple section of the stands as the Trojans won the sectional with 256 points.

"It was a fantastic day," said Downers Grove North coach Judy Busse. "They swam very well and exceeded our expectations. This is probably the first time we've come (into sectionals) and really performed together as a team. We had 100 percent best times so that is always fun."

Ellie Roeing, a junior for fifth-place Glenbard West (120 points), got off to a good start with a win in 200 free.

"I'm really excited," Roeing said. "This is the first time I've made state so I'm just thrilled to go."

This is also the first official competition Roeing has seen this year.

"We don't have an official team, so this is the first meet that we compete at," said Roeing, whose mark was a personal best. "I'm really happy because I dropped a second (off my time)."

In the 200 individual medley second-place Katie Johnson swam the first of her two state-qualifying races for Glenbard West.

"I'm really excited," Johnson said. "I wish today my individual (swims) were little bit better so my seed time would be faster at state.

"It was a lot of fun. I'm glad Ellie made it, too. I won't be alone."

Johnson, a senior who will be making here third appearance at state, took second in the breaststroke with a qualifying time of 1:07.56.

-- Bill Swick

At St. Charles East sectional: West Chicago freshman Kelly Dunn finished second in the 100-yard backstroke and qualified for the state meet from Saturday's St. Charles East sectional. Dunn is the only Wildcats swimmer headed to the state meet next weekend.

-- Darryl Mellema