D-155 primed for sectional
After a flawless showing in dual meets as well as a recent championship title finish in the McHenry Invitational, the District 155 co-op boys swimming team will look to make a splash at Saturday's Barrington sectional.
District 155 capped off a 7-0 dual season last Saturday winning the McHenry Invitational, which is known to area spectators as the Fox Valley Conference meet, finishing with 353 total points.
Leading the way for the co-op, Michael Kinross, Brent Curtis and Edward Griswold each tallied firsts in their respective events and are expected to do the same in the upcoming Barrington sectional.
"I like our chances with Brent in both the 100 freestyle and the breaststroke," said D-155 coach Jim Andriakos.
Curtis qualified for state last year in the 50 freestyle as well as in the breaststroke and will look to make the return trip. Curtis finished first in both the 50 free and breaststroke at 21.98 and 1:01.58 respectively etching out Fremd's Andrew Heideman by a mere second in the breaststroke.
Kinross qualified in the butterfly last year, and will look to add the 200 IM to his resume this season.
"Michael swims the events that nobody likes," Andriakos said laughing. "But, he's all heart and very talented. He has been an incredible vocal leader for us all year.
"Brent leads from the water."
In addition, Andriakos expects Griswold could earn a state berth in the 500 freestyle. He would also like to see his 200 medley relay team and 200 free relay team advance. The medley relay of Griswold, Curtis, Kinross and Ryan Kearney just set a meet and pool record at last Saturday's invitational.
"Eddie might just surprise some people," Andriakos said. "It's going to be exciting to see these guys perform in the events that they know and do best.
"The guys are pumped. We're coming off of a great season, and it is there turn to have fun."
Andriakos notes not to count out sophomore Christian Weber, who has been on the rise all year and promises an exciting swim at the post-season level.
The Jacobs/Dundee-Crown co-op finished second at McHenry behind 100 backstroke conference champion Sean Kelly and Nick Pankau who won the 100 breaststroke.
Kelly is very close to state time in the 200 IM and was just two-tenths of a second away from state time in the backstroke.
Both Kelly and Pankau attended the state meet in the 2006-07 campaign as members of the medley relay team, but will be striving for individual berths at Barrington.
"Sean looks strong," said co-op coach Rick Andresen. "Nick is ready too.
"I would like to see both of these guys make it to the state meet in individual events."
According to Andresen, it won't be easy as the competition is tight at Barrington.
"It is a fast pool filled with great competition," Andresen said. "I would like to see Curtis and Kinross of District 155 do well.
"They've been great competition for years and you always like to see good competitors succeed."
The two Fox Valley representatives will be joined by Barrington, Conant, Hoffman Estates, Lake Zurich, Marengo, Fremd, Woodstock, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Elk Grove.
Barrington won the sectional last year with 275 points and welcomes back state experience in Sam Barnett, Justin Yu, Nick Santoro, Greg Alexander and Ben Redpath.
At St. Charles North: Looking at the numbers, you might assume that a winless Bartlett/Streamwood co-op (in dual meets) won't stand a chance at Saturday's St. Charles North sectional.
But what the numbers don't show are the vast improvements that this young roster has made throughout the season.
Those numbers also neglect to highlight individual success.
According to co-op head coach Carl Metzke one of those top-notch individuals is junior Mike Brady.
Brady missed a bid to state last year by two-tenths of a second which has given him that much more drive to make it this season.
"I'm hoping to see Mike get to state in both the 50 and 100 freestyles," said Metzke. "He's been hovering around state times all year."
Metzke added that Brady has finished 1-or-2 in both events in dual meets all year, and has been among thetop three at every invitational.
"He's feeling good," said Metzke. "Despite not winning dual meets, we've stayed focused on setting and achieving personal goals. We are looking to have good strong times from all of our swimmers."
While Larkin doesn't roster a boys swim team, the Royals will send sophomore Brett Grindel to the postseason to compete in the 100 backstroke and the 200 IM.
"It's nice to have Brett represent the school," said Larkin athletic director Jim Juliano. "He has worked hard on his own all year with his club, and is deserving of the opportunity."
The Bartlett/Streamwood co-op will be joined by sectional host St. Charles North, IMSA, Marmion, Batavia, Glenbard North, DeKalb, Geneva, Kaneland, Lake Park, Schaumburg, St. Charles East, West Chicago, St. Francis and Wheaton Warrenville South.
"St. Charles North is always good," said Metzke. "East is a really strong team and the Wheaton co-op and Marmion, those are your top dogs."