Libertyville 'does some good stuff' to splash past Warren

No one was expecting particularly fast times Thursday when the Libertyville boys swimming team visited Warren for a North Suburban Conference dual meet.

Both teams had worked extremely hard during the winter break from school, which is always the time when coaches work their swimmers the hardest.

So while there were few personal bests, both teams were proud of the way they competed. Libertyville used its experience to post a 100-86 victory.

"Considering we were coming off winter break training, I was happy with the way we came out and raced," said Libertyville coach Kevin Zakrzewski. "We did some good stuff."

For the young Warren swimmers, it was the first time they had double practice sessions over the break.

"I pushed them mentally and physically and I was pretty pleased with the way they handled it," said Blue Devils coach Andrew Kittrell.

Libertyville's Ben Glick placed first in the 200-yard individual medley (2:02.63) and the 500 freestyle (4:59. 01). Teammate Chris Marr was first in the 100 freestyle (51.42) and second in the 200 freestyle (1:52.88).

Marr, a 6-foot-4 junior whose main sport is cross country, continues to improve with each meet.

"It's really exciting to see someone have a breakout season like this," Zakrzewski said.

This is Marr's first full season on the varsity.

"I really didn't know what to expect this year, so I'm very happy with my times," Marr said.

Libertyville's Benjamin Snader placed first in the 50 freestyle (23.63) as did Brian Coughlin in the 100 backstroke (59.7). The Wildcats won all three relays and Teddy Kelly (201 points) enjoyed more than a 19-point margin of victory in diving.

Warren received another promising performance from freshman twins Sean Conway and Danny Conway. Sean Conway (1:52.82) out-touched Marr to win the 200 freestyle, and Danny Conway was first in the 100 butterfly (57 flat).

Junior Ben Abejuela (1:07.10) had his best race this season to win the 100 breaststroke. Chad Church, swimming this event for the first time at the varsity level, was second (1:07.24).

"Those were 8 huge points for us," Kittrell said.

Senior Angel Cabrera was fourth in the 50 freestyle (24.82) and second in the 100 freestyle (54.15).

"He worked hard over break," Kittrell said. "He dropped some time and had several solid times."

Swimming tired is no fun, but the swimmers know it should help them at the end of the season.

"The whole team put a lot of time and effort in," Coughlin said. "Come taper time, it will really pay off."