Boling's big finish helps Libertyville prevail

Libertyville junior swimmer Maggie Boling put a dramatic finish on the 100-yard breaststroke Saturday at the Lake Forest girls swimming and diving sectional.

The junior standout came from behind in the final 25 yards to win the event and all but clinch the team championship for Libertyville. The Wildcats totaled 242 points en route to the title, edging out host Lake Forest with 231.

Deerfield (179), Warren (172), Vernon Hills (131) and Mundelein (118) rounded out the top six.

First place was still anybody's to claim at the start of the 100 breaststroke, the penultimate event of the meet. Mundelein junior Cassie Brueckbauer (1:06.79) held the lead for most of the race, but Boling (1:06.56) made a late charge to win. The two finished in the same order last weekend in the North Suburban Conference Championship at Stevenson.

"I felt smoother and faster, and more excited because it was sectionals," said Boling, who lowered her season-best time nearly 2 seconds. "I was really surprised with the 1:06 time. That's what I've been hoping for. I just tried to stay focused, be long and strong, and finish hard."

Both Boling and Brueckbauer qualified for the state tournament with their times. Brueckbauer also qualified in the 200 freestyle.

Libertyville set the tone by winning the first event of the meet, the 200 medley relay, with a time of 1:51.04.

"The medley relay was key to start the meet off with a qualification and set the tone for the rest of it," Libertyville coach Maggie Casteleyn said. "All season we've been focused on this meet. We had high expectations and came through and fulfilled them."

Libertyville junior Taylor Rogers and sophomore Whitney Mitchell qualified in two events each, as well. Mitchell finished second in the 200 individual medley (2:09.34) and won the 100 freestyle (53.4) Meanwhile, Rogers finished second in the 200 freestyle (1:56.58) and third in the 100 freestyle (53.8).

"It was unexpected," Rogers said. "I missed state by 0.11 last year in the 200 free, so I was a little iffy on the subject. But I finished hard."

Vernon Hills junior Melanie Rowland qualified for state in two events, the 200 individual medley (2:10.11) and the 100 butterfly (58.65). Antioch sophomore Dominique Bessette qualified in two events as well, finishing third behind Rowland in the 100 butterfly (59.6), but beating her out in the 200 individual medley (2:07.21).

Warren qualified in three events behind senior Kristen O'Connor. She was the only qualifier in the 50 freestyle (25.05), and she finished second in the 100 freestyle (53.53). Warren also finished second in the 200 freestyle relay (1:39.72).

The state meet will be held Friday and Saturday at Evanston Township High School.