Neuqua Valley's Overholt breaks state 100 record
Kevin Overholt of Neuqua Valley broke a state record in Friday's preliminary round of the state meet, but it wasn't the record he expected to break.
After finishing second in the 200 freestyle relay, which he considers his best event, Overholt went out and shattered the 100 freestyle with a time of 44.11. The old record of 44.20 was set by Lake Forest's Matt Grevers in 2002.
"I'm really happy I broke that record because it was important for the team to get our momentum back," Overholt said. "I went out fast and came back faster. I hope I can go even faster tomorrow."
"I was disappointed in the way he swam the 200," said Neuqua Valley coach Chad Allen. "He went out really fast. But after that race we thought he had a chance to break the record in the 100. I think tomorrow he'll be right around the state record in the 200."
Allen decided to hold Overholt out of the opening event, the 200 medley relay, and put him in the two free relays in order to give the Wildcats a better chance to place all three relays in the top six, which they did.
The Overholt-less medley relay finished fourth behind New Trier, which set a state record of 1:31.78, Naperville Central and Marmion. The second through fourth teams were bunched between 1:34.16 and 1:34.35.
The Wildcats were second in the 200 freestyle relay and fourth in the 400 freestyle relay, so they'll be top six in all three relays today, and relays earn double the points of individual races.
In addition to Overholt and the three relay teams, Neuqua's Kevin Crodes went top six by finishing second in the 100 breaststroke.
The Wildcats will also pick up Saturday points in the consolation round from diver Ted Wagner, who finished 11th, Hans Peters, who was in the second six in both the 200 and 100 freestyle, and Brien Gerber, who was 11th in the 200 IM.
Though no official team points are awarded in the preliminary round, host New Trier is in good position to capture the state championship based on how many swims the Trevians qualified for the top six. Defending state champion Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central and Marmion could battle for second-and third-place trophies.
Bryant Honsa of Lake Park won the 500 freestyle relay in 4:29.03 to second-place Burke Sims of Downers Grove North, who finished in 4:30.13.
"Burke and I are close friends and we really have a friendly rivalry going," Honsa said. "Swimming against him and the other great swimmers in this race really helps me improve. Any and all of the top six in the race tomorrow can break the state record. It's really that close."
Naperville Central finished second in the 200 medley relay but just outside the top six in the two freestyle relays.
However, the Redhawks had a number of outstanding performances Friday, including Chris Depew's third-place finish in the 200 IM. Will Heidler of Naperville North was fourth, and Jim Zuponeck of Waubonsie Valley was sixth.
The Redhawks' Joe Ciliak and Ben Reasons were fifth and sixth in the 100 breaststroke.
The Warriors' Zuponeck also took third in the 100 breaststroke.