Patriots splash past Wildcats
The Stevenson boys swimming team had lost two consecutive dual meets to Libertyville.
The Patriots snapped that streak in a big way Thursday.
Stevenson used its mix of experienced seniors and up-and-coming underclassmen to produce a 122-64 North Suburban Conference victory over the visiting Wildcats.
"This was an intense environment and the boys were geared up," coach Greg Hartman said. "They rose to the occasion."
Although the team score already was decided, the Patriots finished the meet off on a high note in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Stevenson freshman Ryota Kuwahara, senior Brad Feng, freshman Langston Fitts and senior Ty Kuper combined for a time of 3:23.68. Libertyville's top team placed second in 3:26.03.
Kuwahara led off the relay and was matched up with Libertyville junior Ben Glick. Glick's split was 49.56, but Kuwahara stayed close enough with a personal-best time of 50.79.
"It was a challenge for him and he relied on his competitive drive," Hartman said.
Feng and Fitts closed the deficit and that let Kuper break open the race on the final leg.
"I decided to push right at the beginning," Kuper said. "I was ahead and I kept it going."
Kuper placed first in the 50-freestyle with a personal-best time of 23.37. He briefly fell behind Libertyville's Benjamin Snader (23.42) but closed hard down the stretch.
"He caught up to me after the flip turn," Kuper said. "I thought I had lost so I was ecstatic."
Feng placed third in the 50-freestyle (23.57) and the 100-freestyle (52.11). Both times were personal bests.
"I surprised myself," Feng said. "Hopefully, it will continue."
Kuwahara was first in the 100-butterfly (56.22) and second in the 200-individual medley (2:07.94). Fitts, his fellow freshman, was second in the 500-freestyle (5:02.08). He shaved about five seconds off his personal best.
Stevenson's Keli Liu (59.53) edged Libertyville's Brian Coughlin (59.59) in the 100 backstroke. Stevenson sophomore Adam Salzman (1:52.82) took first in the 200 freestyle.
Stevenson's Matt Stiefel (218.35) cruised to victory in diving. Libertyville's Teddy Kelley (187.90) and Stevenson's Mike Chaffer (159.50) were second and third, respectively.
For Libertyville, Glick was his dominant self in the 500-freestyle (4:58.72). He won by more than three seconds.
"I wasn't working at all through the first 400," Glick said. "Coach (Kevin Zakrzewski) told me to stay with everyone and then sprint the last 100."
Glick also placed first in the 200-individual medley (2:02.74).
"Ben came up huge," Zakrzewski said. "He did exactly what a captain should do."
Libertyville junior Chris Marr (50.97) was first in the 100 freestyle.
"That was his lifetime best and that's what I was expecting," Zakrzewski said.
"I'm excited about his potential."
Boys basketball
Vernon Hills 52, Round Lake 25: All three of DaVaris Daniels' field goals were three-pointers as he led the Cougars to victory with a game-high 13 points. Vernon Hills also got 11 points from Chris Morgan.
Jon Martinez and Lennox Davis each had 6 points for Round Lake.
Girls gymnastics
Stevenson d. Libertyville: Thanks to sweeps in the balance beam and the floor exercise, Stevenson got by Libertyville 144.35 to 136.60.
Stevenson's Shana Manning and Ali Castriano both placed in each event, with Manning winning the balance beam (8.95) and taking third for the floor (9.2) and Castriano taking second on the beam (8.8) and tying Manning in the floor exercise.
Chelsie Seplowin won the floor for Stevenson with a 9.5.
The Patriots also took a first place on the uneven bars, thanks to Caitlin Pagano (9.6).
Libertyville swept the all-around as Leah Herchenbach lead the way with a 35.5. Teammates Amanda Winn (34.35) and Sarah Chaitoff (33.2) took second and third.
Winn also won the vault with a 9.1.