Dream come true for Neuqua's Mikulecky
For Neuqua Valley diver Lauren Mikulecky, her state title Saturday was the culmination of a four-year dream.
“I knew if I wanted to finish first, I had to work my tail of all year,” Mikulecky said. “I went into every practice knowing that each dive in practices and meets could help me win the state meet. And that's the way I attacked every dive in practice.”
New Trier broke Rosary's four-year run of state titles by winning the championship with 198.5 points.
Loyola Academy was second with 126, followed by Rosary with 122.5 and Downers Grove North with 114. Hinsdale Central finished sixth with 66 points, Neuqua Valley was eighth with 57 and Naperville North finished ninth with 52 points.
Mikulecky was especially satisfied with the win because she's been fighting to restore the confidence she lost during her junior year when she performed below her capabilities because of a pair of injuries she suffered when her hand twice hit the diving board. She finished 11th at state last year.
“I'm way more confident going into my dives,” Mikulecky said. “I'm finally competing the way I expected to compete. My original goal was to make top five, but after my great score at sectionals I thought I could win state. It's hard to believe it actually happened.”
Neuqua Valley diving coach Gerry Petit said he sees a noticeable difference between Mikulecky and the other divers.
“I've always been impressed by her line when she's in the air,” Petit said. “She has a nice flat line to her body and her entries are always clean. She also has great finesse and strength. I think that's what the judges saw today.”
Haley Sims of Downers Grove North, earned state titles in both the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly and led her team to fourth place in the team standings.
The Trojans also won the 200 medley relay with a team that consisted of seniors Haley Sims, Allison Soper, and Sims' twin sisters, freshmen Gabby and Maddy Sims.
Gabby Sims also finished second in the 100 freestyle and third in the 100 backstroke.
“Every swim we had today but the 200 IM were school records,” said Downers Grove North coach Judy Busse. “We're more than happy with fourth place. It's the best we've ever done. And we did it with three first places, two second places and a third place. We can't ask for anything better than that.”
Busse had high praise for Haley Sims, who has been the cornerstone of the Trojans team the past four years.
“She's the pillar of the program and we're going to miss her when she graduates,” Busse said. “A lot of people think you can't come back the second day and swim well. Haley disproved that today with all her swims across the board.”
Sims, who will attend Stanford, was thrilled with the results.
“This entire year has been a dream,” she said. “It was such a great way to finish. So much fun to have Gabby and Maddy to share this great experience with me. Being able to stand on the podium for every race was special. It's what I've been working toward for years. A lot of people think swimming is all about times, but for us today was all about the racing.”