Sellers' swim a Metea first
Megan Sellers made history at Saturday's IHSA State Swimming and Diving Meet at New Trier.
When she finished fourth in the 100 breaststroke, Sellers became Metea Valley's first state swimming medalist.
Last year Sellers finished fourth-at-state in the breaststroke, but then she was a freshman at Waubonsie Valley. She transferred to the new school this year.
"This is an honor," said Sellers. "To be the first swimmer at my school to qualify and then to win a medal."
"I'm so proud that she's the first state finalist to represent Metea and I'm so happy for her," said Metea Valley coach Lenny DePasquale. "She's worked so hard, and today she went into a race against all seniors and she finished fourth. She has a great positive attitude."
Sellers said this year's experience of being the only qualifier for the Mustangs was a lot different than last year, when Waubonsie finished fourth at state and there were many upperclassmen to look up to and to give each other support.
"It was kind of hard being here without my teammates' support," Sellers said. "But my friends at Waubonsie Valley were here and they cheered for me."
The whole year was a different experience for Sellers, because the Waubonsie Valley swimming team had so many established traditions, while the new Mustangs are making their own traditions.
"At the beginning we didn't know what to do," Sellers said. "Every team has an identity, but we didn't have one. As the season went on we crafted our own identity. We're a close-knit team now because there aren't that many of us. And we're having fun. Last year I just tried to follow in the footsteps of all the seniors. This year I feel that everyone is following me and I have to set a good example."
DePasquale is encouraged by the fact that a least one relay and two individuals on the Metea team were right on the brink of qualifying for state.
"We hope to have a few more qualifiers next year," DePasquale said. "And in two years, Megan's senior year, we want to come back to state with a full team."
Haley Sims of Downers Grove North had two great swims on Saturday finishing second in both the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.
They would have been great performances under normal circumstances, but these were not normal circumstances.
After being ill for about two weeks, and swimming less than her best at sectional, Sims was diagnosed with pneumonia. She's been on antibiotics since Monday.
"I'm not 100 percent today, but compared to last weekend it's worlds better," Sims said. "Finishing second is a great place to be considering how I'm feeling right now."
In the 100 butterfly Sims finished second to Olivia Scott of Rosary, who set a state record in the event with a 53.09, breaking Rosary alum Mary Descenza's record of 53.11.
Rebecca Stoughton of Peoria Notre Dame won the 200 freestyle.
"I don't know that I would have won either of these races even if I was feeling great," Sims said. "These girls are really fast."
Rosary won its fourth straight IHSA championship easily outdistancing the competition with 177 points to 129 points scored by runner-up and host New Trier. Fenwick was third with 96 points.
Hinsdale Central was fifth in the team standings with 79 points.
The Red Devils' Genna Heidkamp finished sixth in the 100 butterfly, their 400 freestyle relay team, which featured Kristen Worthington, Jennifer Coady, Meredith Sweney and Sara Shaner, finished fifth, and their 200 medley relay team of Sweeney, Lindsay Pavich, Heidkamp and Shaner was sixth..
York's Tori Larsen was third in the 50 freestyle, while Downers Grove South's Alexis Spivak was fifth in the 100 butterfly and Waubonsie Valley's Taylor Eggenberger finished sixth in the diving.