Palatine's McNair reaches rare air

As Palatine's Ian McNair is happy to attest, in diving it's not necessarily how you start, but how you finish.

The Pirates' senior had the best finish in a group of five seniors who were close to the lead entering the final three dives of the Mid-Suburban League meet Friday night at Barrington.

That big finish made McNair a champion with a score of 358.95. Pat Chamberlain of Hersey scored 344.55 to place second, ahead of Barrington's Tim Karsten (343.45) and Joe Zavoli (339.35).

The MSL championships continue at 11 a.m. Saturday at Barrington with the 11 swimming events.

For McNair's coach, Kara Waddell, the success was striking. McNair didn't start diving until his sophomore year, and his progress over the last three seasons has been remarkable.

"When he first came out," said Waddell, "he didn't even know how to do an approach. Now look at him. What a successful, extremely fulfilling season."

The same could be said for Chamberlain. His coach, Tom Schwab, was beaming after a consistent performance.

"From where he started, Pat's just shown phenomenal improvement," Schwab said. "I think he's one of the greatest divers I've coached. His work ethic is second to none, and he helps every diver in our program, every day."

It was fitting that the Broncos' Karsten and Zavoli had scores sandwiched together.

"They're great friends," said Barrington coach Rob DeFano. "They push each other in practice, and they're great kids. It's not see them finish together."

The night had a somewhat painful ending for Fremd's Evan Ruggiero. In the thick of the title race before his final dive, Ruggiero's feet hit the board on his entry of an inward double somersault, tuck position.

A collective gasp went up before Ruggiero quickly signaled with a wave that he was OK. His scores ranged from 1s to 2 on the dive.

Ruggiero was icing his toes after the meet but otherwise seemed fine.

"It was fun," he said. "It's nice to dive against the best."

Ruggiero and teammate Chris Powers, who finished sixth at 300.45, will get that chance again a week from today in the sectional round. Just one thing Ruggiero would like to change: "To not hit my toes."

For McNair, too, the sectional provides an opportunity to make the state meet. He narrowly missed qualifying last season, but as bears repeating, he's focused on the finish.

"I'm not even thinking about last year," he said with a laugh. "I'm having a blast."