Hersey's talent on display

It's true that Hersey graduated a big group of seniors from last year's team.

But you won't hear anyone calling this a rebuilding season for the Huskies.

On Thursday, Hersey showed some depth and beat Wheeling 115-71 in Mid-Suburban East Division action.

"It's a full team effort," said Hersey coach Tod Schwager. "We're using the full team to continue to do well. That's what it's all about."

The Huskies echoed their coach's sentiments.

"People are saying we lost all our talent," said Hersey's Steve Austin. "I think with meets like this that we're going to be predominant in the East. We're practicing hard and I can see it paying off."

Austin's performance included time drops in the 100-yard freestyle (55.02) and breaststroke (1:13.17), both victories.

"I was amazed that I went so fast today," Austin said. "I wasn't expecting to drop time like that. I'm really glad I made those kind of improvements."

The Huskies were on a roll from the start, a 1:54.23 win (that edged Wheeling's 1:54.34) in the medley relay by John Poelking, Austin, Tony Ponzo and Paul Miszczszyn.

"I thought we swam really well," Schwager said. "Our first relay was excellent."

The Huskies also stepped up in the 200 free relay (1:42.08), where Austin, Nick Waskowski, Jeff Mitchem and Miszczszyn led a 1-2 finish. Hersey also won the 400 free relay (3:38.36).

Other Hersey wins were by Ponzo in the 50 (24.00) and Matt Adams in the IM (2:22.70). In diving, the Huskies took 1-2-3, led by Jeff Mitchem's 150.55 points.

A couple of two-event winners led Wheeling, including Eric Maczko in the butterfly (55.18) and back (56.34).

"I've got the flu," Maczko said. "My times are pretty decent for not feeling that good. I'm hoping to (swim state) cuts next week.

"We've got a pretty good team this year. We'll see what we can do at the end of the season."

Alan Sears won the 200 (2:07.20) and 500 (5:49.16).

"Back-to-back meets are tough," said Wheeling coach John Fournier, whose team swam at the St. Viator invitational Wednesday. "The guys pulled through and swam really well."