Cary-Grove has high hopes heading to state

The Cary-Grove boys swimming team has had a remarkable season which got even better last Saturday when the Trojans kicked off the postseason qualifying two individuals in four events at the Barrington sectional as well as two relay teams.

This weekend, they will look to cap off a standout season with state success competing in the state meet at Evanston.

Juniors Michael Kinross and Brent Curtis will look to lead the way.

Team leaders all year, they are old-hands at setting the pace for success.

With a first place finish in the 100 breaststroke at 1:00.14 and second place honors in the 100 freestyle (47.65) at Barrington, Curtis is looking for a berth in Saturday's state finals. The top six swimmers in each event at today's preliminaries advance.

"I swam faster than I thought I would at the Barrington sectional," Curtis said. "It was nice to be pleasantly surprised.

"I want to advance to Saturday's finals in both of my events."

C-G coach Jim Andriakos expects that Curtis can and will see Day 2 action.

"Brent should finish top 3 in the breaststroke, and should make the top 12 in the 100 freestyle," Andriakos said. "The 100 free is an extremely tough race though so it won't be easy."

Despite going into the Barrington sectional with full body hair still in tact and no tapering, Kinross posted qualifying times in both the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly at 2:01.10 and 53.69 respectively.

"I have a lot of room for improvement," said Kinross. "I would really like to go under two minutes in the IM, and place among the top 12 in the butterfly.

"I want to experience state finals which means being back for Saturday."

What will make the experience even better is that the two state-returnees will have their teammates by their side.

"Last year, Brent and I looked around at state and saw all of these huge teams hanging out while it was just the two of us," said Kinross.

"This year, we go as a team. It's going to be great. We achieved all of our goals together. Our season has been a complete success. I couldn't have asked for better."

According to Andriakos, one big goal this season since opening day was to qualify a relay team.

The Trojans surpassed that goal as they will be sending two relay teams to Evanston, the 200 medley relay team as well as the 200 freestyle relay team.

In the 200 medley, Kinross and Curtis will be joined by teammates Edward Griswold and Ryan Kearney. Kinross, Curtis and Kearney will be joined by Christian Weber in the 200 free relay.

"The guys are all swimming really well," said Andriakos. "Last year, there was a lot of pressure and I'm not sure it was very fun. This year, these guys are serious about what they're doing, but they are having a ton of fun doing it.

"I'm the third coach here in three years. These guys have endured a lot, but they kept it up and here we all are heading to state."

In addition to those competing, Cary-Grove will have every senior in attendance as alternates.

"The whole team is looking forward to going to state as a team," said Curtis. "We want to represent our school well and do the best that we can."

C-G will not be the lone representatives of the Fox Valley however.

Dundee-Crown/Jacobs junior Sean Kelly made waves at Barrington qualifying in both the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke behind personal-best times.

Kelly earned second place honors in the 200 IM with a time of 2:00.56, while finishing third in the 100 backstroke at 55.09.

His 2:00.56 becomes a new school record for Dundee-Crown topping himself from last year when he claimed the record with a 2:05.31.

Last year, Kelly's 2:05.31 replaced a 2:12 set in 1984 by Hall of Famer Eric Schoengart.

"Sean had some tremendous drops in both events," said co-op coach Rick Andrensen. "He surprised himself."

Kelly has spent this week working on his turns and resting which could mean new personal bests this weekend.

"I'm just looking to see him show some more improvements," said Andresen. "It is always great having a junior go to the state meet. He is excited to represent the team."

This will mark Kelly's second state appearance, his first swimming in individual events.

"He's going to be lonely this year because last year he went with a relay team," said Andresen. "But, we are all proud of him and while the guys won't be poolside, they will be cheering him on from the stands."