Huskies win with three Hs
Naperville North is set at three of the four freestyle relay positions with H, H and H, but the big question is who will join them at the end of the season.
Conor Handley, Will Heidler and Jackson Hill were among the bright spots for the Huskies at the West Aurora triangular meet Tuesday at IMSA, winning the free relays to top Wheaton co-op in team points 143-129.
The host Blackhawks, who were at a disadvantage both in experience and in numbers, finished a distant third with 48 points.
"Those three are clearly the top guys we have," said Naperville North coach Kurt Johns. "But we need someone to step up for that fourth spot in the relays and we don't know who it is yet."
The big three led the Huskies to victory in a meet that produced few impressive times, in part because many athletes on all three teams did not swim in their primary events.
Handley, Heidler and Hill were joined by senior Phil Lechowicz in the 200 freestyle victory, while Heidler, Handley, Lechowicz and Andrew Parent produced the win in the 400.
The Huskies, who needed that final victory to win the meet, were trailing the Wheaton foursome after the first three laps, but Handley pulled out the victory on the final leg.
In their individual events Handley and Heidler came away with two victories apiece. Handley won both the 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle, while Heidler finished first in the 200 free and the 100 butterfly.
"My turns are improving in the 200 free," Heidler said. "And I was able to hold it together at the end."
Wheaton produced five victories, led by Carl Sveen in the 200 IM and Brian Sivak in the 500 freestyle.
Sivak, who is more accustomed to swimming the 100 free and the backstroke, was happy with his showing in the 500.
"It keeps it interesting at this point in the season to get different races in," Sivak said. "I'm more of a sprinter, so it's great to win the longer race."
Wheaton also won the 200 medley relay behind Sivak, Miles Bocianski, Dan Doran and Sean Brown.
Doran was first in the 100 backstroke and Bocianski won the 100 breaststroke.
"That nucleus of five guys makes us optimistic about our relays," said Wheaton coach Jacob Ayers. "Our swimmers are tired, but they were able to make it a close, interesting meet."
West Aurora's major bright spot was again diver Corey Buzzard, who racked up another victory with 225.65 points to 197.55 for Eric Novitsky of Wheaton.
"Corey is on-target for making state," said West Aurora coach Joe Neukirch.
"He's getting better and better every meet as he prepares for sectionals and state. You could see today that he was pumped up and enthusiastic for each upcoming dive. He's a meticulous worker."