Pats' last splash not enough

Judging by the fan reaction and intensity of both teams during the 400-yard freestyle relay, you never would have guessed the visiting Lake Forest boys swimming team already had secured a dual meet victory over Stevenson on Wednesday.

Lake Forest (97) finished with a nine-point victory over Stevenson (88), but the Patriots were enthused after winning the final race of the meet. The relay team of Jamie Clark, Ty Kuper, Matt Duncan and Duncan Partridge went a season-best 3:16.54 to edge Lake Forest (3:17.66).

The Scouts improved to 4-1, while Stevenson fell to 3-2.

"Winning the relay makes the impression that you need to pay attention to us," coach Susan Whitehouse said. "That time was under the state cut and it was even before we started tapering."

Clark swam first and got the Patriots off to a nice lead. Clark said the electric atmosphere was a great motivator.

"Everyone was into it and I'm the kind of person that feeds off that," he said. "I like to break the water for everyone else."

After Clark, Kuper and Duncan did their best to keep the pace going. Lake Forest was slightly ahead going into the anchor leg, but the Patriots had the right man to make the comeback. Sure enough, senior Partridge was able to catch and pass Lake Forest's Mike Hoelterhoff during the final 50 yards.

Partridge said the competitiveness of the relay reminded him of last season.

"It was really exciting because we haven't had a relay like that in a long time," he said. "This year we've always been significantly ahead or behind. Jamie had such a great start for us. I was only a little behind and I was able to get up there. I love racing like that."

Although Stevenson also won the 200 freestyle relay, the difference in the team score was Lake Forest's dominance in two events. Lake Forest placed first, second and third in the 100 breaststroke and 500 freestyle.

Partridge finished first in the 50 freestyle (22.24) and 100 freestyle (47.82). Clark placed third in both events with times of 22.79 and 49.62, respectively.

Stevenson sophomore Josh Hodges won the 100 butterfly with a personal-best time of 55.20.

"I had a really good start," he said. "I could tell I was doing well, but I didn't know I was on a best-time pace."

Hodges (58.60) placed second to Hoelterhoff (56.88) in the 100 backstroke.

Stevenson divers finished first (Matt Stiefel, 188.10), third (Carl Best, 154.15) and fourth (Chase Zacher, 126.90).