Boys swimming sectional preview
Background: Only the event winners and any other competitors who better the state time standard for swimming events gain entrance to next week's state meet at New Trier High School. In diving, the sectional champs advance plus a group of at-large qualifiers with the next-best set of scores.
Team scores are kept at the sectional meet, but there is no team reward for winning - it's all about individuals earning another chance to compete. Or not.
AT BARRINGTON
When: 9 a.m. diving, 1 p.m. swimming
Outlook: The strongest teams figure to be Barrington, Fremd, Schaumburg and Cary-Grove, each with multiple relay and individual state-qualifying opportunities.
Barrington's Justin Yu will change from the individual events he won in last week's Mid-Suburban League meet and will compete in the 100 free and 100 breaststroke, along with legs on two relays. Yu is the second seed in both individual events to Cary-Grove's Brent Curtis. Other key Barrington competitors include Brian Marko (100 fly, 100 back), Greg Alexander (200 IM, breaststroke), sprinters Dan Comyn and Eric Clement, distance men Zak Fischer, Michah Koenig and Leo Hayden and backstroker Mike Byron. All of Barrington's relays are state meet possibilities and the Broncos' divers, Tim Karsten and Joe Zavoli, also could figure in the mix.
In keeping with a team-first approach this season, Fremd has opted to put senior co-captain Sam Childs in all three relays plus the 100 free. Senior Varun Shivakumar will race in the medley and 400 free relays as well as the 200 IM and his signature event, the 100 backstroke. Sophomore Dustin Anderson will swim both freestyle relays plus the 50 and 100 freestyles, and Jeff Freund will swim the 200 and 500 freestyles. Other state hopefuls include Mike Freeman (breastroke, medley relay), Sean Carroo (fly, back), Alex Mikolajewski (200 IM, breaststroke), Sean Gonzalez (200 free, free relays), Brent Caras (medley relay, 200 free relay, 50 free, 100 fly) as well as senior diver Evan Ruggiero. Last week's showing at the conference meet is water under the bridge, according to coach Nicole LaBeau, who reports: "The boys are wound up with all the saved energy that once they shave and wake up Saturday, they'll be primed 'just right' to go fast."
Schaumburg individual standouts Chris Corbett (200 IM, 100 back) and Aaron Johnson (IM, breaststroke) are on track to make the state meet and have a good shot at scoring points there. They'll couple with teammates Mike Kehoe and Anthony Darovec on the medley and 200 free relays for another couple of legitimate state meet threats.
Conant also has legitimate state hopefuls - Ryan Chiero (50 and 100 free), Jacob Jeske (breaststroke) and Brett Johnsen (fly).
Hoffman Estates' Alex Jesse (200 free, 100 back) and Brian Brajczewski (distance freestyle) will need to have another set of personal bests after good showings last week, but both have a chance to advance.
Brad Lotzer (100 and 200 free) and Adrian Sadkowski (50 free, 100 fly) lead the way for Buffalo Grove, which also could advance a relay or two.
An exceptionally good meet could also put Rolling Meadows senior freestyler A.J. Adams into state.
Cary-Grove's Curtis is a shoe-in for state in both the 100 freestyle and 100 breastroke. The Trojans' Michael Kinross is the top seed in the 100 fly, and this team has enough depth to be solid in all four relays.
Mid-Suburban League diving champ Ian McNair of Palatine will be aiming for an automatic state meet berth but figures to have plenty of competition.
AT ST. CHARLES EAST
When: 9 a.m. diving, 1 p.m. swimming
Outlook: A powerhouse Marmion team led by Tyler Capen and Matt Pircon, two strong St. Charles teams (East and North) and a strong Wheaton co-op team will dominate the meet. Elk Grove freshman Carl Sugihara missed last week's varsity conference meet but figures to have an excellent chance to advance to the state meet in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. He's been right at the 50 state cut and just a bit slower in the backstroke. The Grenadiers are also hoping to advance their 200 freestyle relay, and the 200 medley relay and Scott Kemp (50 free) also have a chance to race again.
AT GLENBROOK NORTH
When: 9 a.m. diving, 1 p.m. swimming
Outlook: A Glenbrook South team led by returning state standout freestylers Dominik Cubelic and Ben Hengels figures to set the pace. But Prospect has plenty of state meet candidates of its own. The Knights' Charlie Mau was in top form in last week's MSL meet and ought to advance in the 100 fly; coach Dick Mortenson will also have Mau in three relays as the Knights attempt to get their first relay to state since 1999. All three of the Knights' relays have a legitimate chance to move on. Andrew Bowman and Tyler Bengtsen advanced to last year's state meet in the 100 breaststroke and are on track for a repeat appearance. Maine West's Pat Cullen delivered a terrific 55.03 in the 100 fly at last week's Central Suburban North meet and also is a threat to make state. Hersey senior Pat Chamberlain was a close second in last week's MSL meet and would like nothing more than the chance to compete at New Trier.
- Aaron Gabriel