It's home sweet home as Barrington tops Fremd

Back in its familiar surroundings for a dual meet against Fremd on Friday night, the results were much more to Barrington coach John Valentine's liking.

"It's really nice to be here in our own pool," noted Valentine.

The Broncos used their formidable depth to secure a 108-78 Mid-Suburban League victory over Fremd, helping ease the sting of a loss at West Division foe Conant earlier this month.

Victories in the first two relays, a 1-2 finish in the 200 freestyle from Barrington's Leo Hayden and Jack Strauss and solid depth throughout the meet was enough to offset terrific midseason efforts from two of Fremd's top competitors, juniors Dustin Anderson and Jeff Freund.

Anderson powered his way to victory in the 100 freestyle (49.04) and provided dramatically superior relay legs; Freund delivered wins in the 100 fly (54.90) and 500 free (4:53.06) with times that could put him on pace to be involved in the second day of the state meet in 10 weeks or so.

"Fremd has some fine, fine swimmers," said Valentine, "but I really think our depth made the difference here."

Greg Alexander was one clear individual standout for the Broncos, with victories in the 200 IM (2:03.81) and the 100 breaststroke (1:03.39).

Neither team has many seniors, so this was largely a chance for both squads to continue building toward the future.

Fremd coach Nicole LaBeau liked how her team adjusted after making too many technical mistakes in the four events that preceded diving. That was disappointing to her after the days leading up to the meet had included plenty of technique work.

"I liked our second half much better," she said. "We just need to be a little more detail-oriented, and we were after diving."

Brandon Trostrud gave the Vikings a lift in diving, winning with 223.90, and another positive, according to LaBeau, was the effort of Tony Rublaitis in the 50 free. He finished second in 23.63, behind Barrington's Tommy Clement (23.22).

• Ryan Chiero anchored the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays and also won the 100 breaststroke as Conant topped Schaumburg 128-58. Anton Andonov was a double individual winner for the Cougars (200 IM, 100 back) and also had legs on the medley and 400 freestyle relays. Ben Epperly won twice for Schaumburg, in the 200 free (1:53.17) and the 500 free (5:00.77).

• Elk Grove won the medley relay, the 200 free relay and had double individual winners in Carl Sugihara (50 free, 100 back) and Marek Burtan (100 fly, 100 breast), but Hersey's overall strength proved superior in a 122-63 victory. The Huskies took 1-2-3 finishes in the 200 IM, the 100 free and the 200 free.

• Prospect's Eric Opland edged Buffalo Grove's Matt O'Rourke in the 500-yard freestyle by 17 one-hundredths of a second, and Opland also delivered a victory in the 200 free as the Knights topped the Bison 102-84 on Thursday. Joe Lakner was also a double individaul winner for Prospect (100 fly, 100 back); Ian Rodriguez won both the 200 IM (2:06.72) and the 100 breaststroke (1:03.39) for Buffalo Grove.