Plenty of pleasant surprises for Buffalo Grove, Palatine
In a boys swimming season opener featuring two teams trying to establish their identities, both visiting Buffalo Grove and host Palatine were pleased with how they looked Friday night.
Buffalo Grove used an emphatic 1-2 finish in the meet's final race, the 400-meter freestyle relay, to claim the Mid-Suburban League crossover victory 97-89. But there were enough brights spots to encourage both BG coach Jamie Klotz and Palatine coach Katie Kupka.
For BG, freshman Ian Rodriguez won both the 200 IM (2:25.55) and the 100 breaststroke (1:15.34). Breakthrough efforts from others such as senior Kevin Reilly, who placed second in the 100 free, combined with predicted solid performances from individual winners like Adrian Sadkowski (50 free, 25.21), Brad Lotzer (100 free, 58.30) and Matt Block (200 free, 2:13.05) gave the Bison the edge.
"What I saw was our guys really pulling together," said Klotz. "We had guys coming up with points we had to have."
Despite BG's decisive edge in event winners, Palatine was able to keep pace and made a nice surge near the meet's end. Brad Ferris, a junior, was a big part of that push - he won the 400 free (4:50.33) and was able to bounce back two events later to win the 100 back (1:09.86).
Dylan Weissman was a Pirates winner in the 100 fly (1:06.67), and the 1-2 diving finish of Ian McNair (209.60) and Steve Repking (139.05) combined with a winning medley relay of Ferris, Dan Sommerfeld, Chris Mals and Sebastian Dorszewski gave Palatine a nice burst at the beginning of the meet.
"We've got a bunch of good guys who work hard - that's what we are," said Kupka. "I really like this group. We're going to keep our focus on the end of the year, and I think we'll have good results."
Ultimately, BG's edge in sprint freestylers was too much for Palatine. Sadkowski, Glen Bernard, Block and Lotzer won the 200 relay and Lotzer, Sadkowski, Matt Cooney and Reilly prevailed in the 400 relay.
"BG is always consistent, always strong," Kupka said. "They have a nice program and they always have a good group of swimmers who train year-round. But we were right in the meet, all the way. It's a good start for us."
Hoffman Estates d. Wheeling: Brian Braczjewski and Alex Jessee won a pair of individual events apiece and both participated on two winning relays to help the Hawks past Wheeling 113-72.
Braczjewski won the 200-meter free (2:15.11) and the 400 free (4:44.65); Jessee won the 100 free (59.80) and the 100 back (1:09.27); the Hawks won all three relays.
Wheeling's event winners were Seth Pawlow (50 free, 28.29) and Clark Jensen (diving, 135.55).
Conant d. Elk Grove: Conant swept the relays and had double individual winners in Ryan Chiero (200 IM, 100 fly) and Brett Johnsen (200 freee, 100 free) as the Cougars handled the Grenadiers 118-68. Carl Sugihara won a pair of races (50 free, 100 back) for the Grens.
Barrington d. RM: The Broncos got off to a strong start by delivering seven different individual event winners and claiming victory in two relays for a 128.5-57.5 victory over Rolling Meadows. The Mustangs had a double winner in A.J. Adams (50 free 23.49, 100 free 50.97).
Hersey d. Schaumburg: Superior depth made the difference for Hersey in a 107-78 victory against the Saxons.
Brandon Kase (50 free, 100 free) and Brian Corbett (200 IM, 100 breaststroke) were double individual winners for Schaumburg, and John Poelking won the 100 fly and 100 back for Hersey.
Fremd d. Prospect: Sam Childs won the 100- and 200-meter freestyles as Fremd earned a decisive victory against Prospect by winning all three relays. Vikings winners included Alex Mikolajewski (200 IM), Jeff Freund (400 free), Sean Carroo (100 back) and Mike Freeman (100 breaststroke).
Charlie Mau was a winner for Prospect in the 100 fly.