Saints edge N. Stars at UEC
In some senses, the meet-ending 400-yard freestyle relay was a microcosm to St. Charles East's entire day at the Upstate Eight Conference boys swimming and diving championships.
The Saints stated a little rocky, but then fought through the rough spots and kept getting better as the day progressed and ended with a solid finish.
The relay - made of Adam Carnell, Shane Seuschek, Shaun Seuschek and Ken Tilges - finished third behind Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley. Neuqua Valley won the conference title with district rival Waubonsie Valley second.
The Saints emerged from a dogfight with St. Charles North and Bartlett to finish fourth.
"That whole relay put it together at the end," St. Charles East coach Joe Cabel said. "We were faltering a little at the end. Everybody's tired. All the teams are tired. But we reached deep and got it at the end."
Carnell had the Saints' best individual finish. He was third in the 200 freestyle and third later in the meet in the 100 freestyle.
"I think our team did exceptionally well," Carnell said. "All of the teams in this conference are exceptionally good. As a whole, I think we did great."
Carnell said he and Cabel discussed target times before the meet.
"I came close," Carnell said. "To not hit those times, I guess, is a little disappointing. But I went best times, so I've just got to keep trying."
But the focus was firmly on getting the team prepared for the state sectional, which also takes place at the Norris Center pool this year.
"Our JV kids had 100 percent drops and that was really inspiring for us," Cabel said. "The varsity, you want to get a little better. But everybody's tired and that might not happen."
Along with that resting, the Saints will shave their heads in preparation for the sectional. The team has sported a blonde dye-job since early January.
"I am definitely ready to lose this hair; it is bothering me," Carnell said. "I am ready to shave it all off and cut lots of time."
St. Charles North was fifth, two points behind the Saints, and there was considerable enthusiasm about the team's junior-varsity, which finished third.
"As a team, it was great to see all the guys taper," Peterson said. "I don't think people sometimes understand. We all train together, every single morning and every afternoon. We all go through the same thing. And we all go through the same taper. For the state guys to see how well these (JV) guys did today - it makes us realize how well we're going to do in these next couple of weeks."
Those athletes rested for the conference meet, and their tapered times were very good. The varsity begins its own taper in the next two weeks.
"Our shaved and tapered kids did awesome," St. Charles North coach Rob Rooney said. "The varsity kids - it was definitely a challenge. I told them today that the meet wasn't about them. It was about soaking in the atmosphere, cheering for the JV kids and getting ourselves ready for the next phase."
St. Charles North has taken a two-week break in competition since its own invitational to concentrate on training for the big end of season meets. There is now another two-week gap before the state sectional.
"Right now, we've got to figure out a few things with some relay equations," Rooney said. "Our goal is to qualify three relays and put two in position to score. I think we can do that."
Nick Smith had the North Stars' best finish when he placed second in the 50 freestyle and was also fourth in the 100 freestyle. Alex Peterson, who was battling illness, was third in the 100 butterfly.
"Even though I don't feel well, I was happy with the way I placed today," Peterson said. "It shows me that even though I'm not at the top of my game, we're going to do well at sectionals."