Benet pulls sectional surprise

The Benet girls swimming team wasn't kidding when it went with the motto "No pool, no problem" on team T-shirts this year.

The Redwings finished second Saturday to defending state champion Rosary at the Neuqua Valley sectional, which is generally considered the toughest in the state.

"We learned a lot this year from our experience," said senior Sarah Galvin, who finished first in the 100 backstroke and swam on all three qualifying relay teams. "We had no excuses. We just worked hard and did what we had to do. We became a family."

The Redwings were forced to swim at local health clubs and reserve pool time at neighboring high schools when it was available because the Benedictine University pool, their normal practice facility, was closed.

"I could not have asked this meet to come together any better than it did," said fifth-year coach Nicole Kothe. "This is the most amazing meet I could have asked for. All year the girls have been swimming faster than they did last year. The upperclassmen have stepped up and showed a very talented freshman class how we do things. And those freshmen really delivered today."

Though the sectional-champion Beads won all three relays, the Redwings finished second in the 400 freestyle and third in both the 200 medley and the 200 freestyle races. Galvin anchored both freestyle relays.

Redwings upperclassmen Colleen Webb qualified in the 100 backstroke, Cat Cortesio made the state cut in the 100 butterfly, and Maddi Webb qualified in the 200 freestyle. Freshmen Tori Bertschy, Katey Katsafanas, Christina Favia all made the state cut in their individual events. Bertschy made it in the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly, Katsafanas in the IM and Favia in the 500 freestyle.

Kothe remembers her first year at Benet when only one swimmer made it to the state meet.

"We're going to have 14 girls on the deck Friday," Kothe said. "Sarah winning and going to state with a 57.4 in the backstroke is fantastic. And she has more time to drop this week."

Galvin, who will be shooting for the state title in the backstroke, was thrilled by the team's accomplishments.

"Last year we didn't finish in the top three at this meet," Galvin said. "To finish ahead of all the Naperville-area schools is a great feeling. I feel proud to have helped the team grow this way."

Rosary, which also won four individual events, finished the day with 288 points. Five schools were bunched behind the Beads, led by Benet with 169, Waubonsie Valley with 166, Neuqua Valley with 157, Naperville North with 155 and Naperville Central with 146. Wheaton co-op also made a good showing with 119 as did Oswego co-op with 113.

Rosary's individual winners were state champion Olivia Scott in the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly, while Kara Savegnago, who swam the first leg on all three winning relays, won the 50 freestyle and Kally Fayhee, who also qualified in the 200 freestyle, won the 500 freestyle.

In addition Diana Norkus qualified in the 200 IM, Elizabeth Tavierne in the back stroke, Catherine Hare in the 50 freestyle, Mackenzie Powers in both the butterfly and the backstroke, Rachel Burke in the 100 free, Emily Launer in the 500 freestyle and Mary Tonner in the breaststroke.

"Our motto is, 'No swimmer left behind,' " Savegnago said. "Everyone made it in at least one event. We're looking forward to next week."

"I'm excited for this team," said Rosary coach Bill Schalz. "I'm proud of these juniors and seniors who have won two state titles and have a chance for a third. They have been great leaders. Step one for the state meet is just getting there. We're where we need to be, and we'll see how some of the other top teams like New Trier and Hinsdale Central are."

Erin Lamb of Naperville Central was also outstanding, winning both the 100 and the 200 freestyle and anchoring both freestyle relay teams that qualified for state.

The Redhawks, Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley and Naperville North all qualified three relay teams for state.

Karolina Wartalowicz of Oswego won the 100 breaststroke and her teammate Nikki Schropp was first in the diving competition.