State at stake at VH sectional

Area swimming teams congregated last Saturday at Vernon Hills for the North Suburban Conference meet.

At 1 p.m. Saturday at Vernon Hills, they will compete again in the sectional meet.

This time, a trip to the state will be on the line.

Libertyville went undefeated in dual meets this season, but had to share the NSC title with Lake Forest after the Scouts pulled out the narrowest of victories last Saturday.

Although in most sports the sectional showdown between the two schools would be the dominant story, that's not the case. In swimming, the conference meet is about winning the team total. Sectionals is more about qualifying individuals and relays for state.

"The goal is to get as many kids as possible to state," junior Ben Glick said. "I think we're swimming great as a (team)."

Glick will swim the 200-yard freestyle and 500 freestyle Saturday. He was third at the NSC meet in the 200 freestyle and he placed first in the 100 backstroke.

"What I like about the backstroke is that you don't have to worry about dying at the end," he said. "I'm pretty consistent and it's a nice mental break from the 500 freestyle."

Glick often swims the 100 backstroke because he can usually place first and pick up team points. His best events, though, are middle to long distances. That's why he will be back swimming the 500 freestyle at sectionals.

"The 500 is its own kind of race," he said. "If you don't have a good strategy you can finish last."

Glick said he enjoys the challenge of the longest high school event.

"I take the first 200 off adrenaline," he said. "I try to build during the second 200, and I give the final 100 everything I've got."

Glick said his teammates and first-year coach Chris Wetteland have helped make this a memorable season.

"We all have fun as a group, but we also know when it's time to get down to work," he said. "We weren't sure when coach Wetteland came in, but he's proven he's an energetic coach. He's dedicated his life to (the team) for these three months. We'll see how it turns out, but so far this season has been incredibly successful."

While the drama was on the team score between Lake Forest and Libertyville last Saturday, it was Stevenson that won the final event. Senior Duncan Partridge brought Stevenson from third to first during the anchor leg of the 400 freestyle relay (3:14.50).

"They went faster than I thought," coach Susan Whitehouse said. "It was pretty exciting because those guys weren't tapered at all."