Hersey tops BG, completes ‘Drive for Five’
As much as Hersey girls swimming coach Dick Mortensen likes winning, he likes something else even better.
“I just love how close this team is,” said Mortensen, still drying off after an impromptu dunking in the diving well at Olympic Pool in Arlington Heights following the Huskies’ 117-69 victory over the Bison. “They really care about each other and look out for each other.”
The victory clinched Hersey’s fifth straight Mid-Suburban East title in girls and boys swimming combined since Mortensen made the switch from Prospect three seasons ago. He’s now coached the Huskies girls to three straight divisional crowns and will try for a third straight in boys this winter.
After the conclusion of the meet, his swimmers were having a party downstairs at Olympic. During it, they honored District 214’s Career Life Skills group of Special Olympians. Before the meet, the Hersey seniors were honored by their teammates.
And then there’s the pool, where this group sticks together in a way that makes it troublesome for the opposition.
Hersey started with a 1-2 finish in the 200-yard medley relay, an indication of its superior depth.
Buffalo Grove had winning performances from Margaret Lotzer (200 IM), Sara Fasching (50 free), 100 back (Veronika Jedryka) and the 200 free relay of those three plus Callie Fasching. But Hersey had a clear edge in the 2-3-4 places throughout the meet, and that made the difference.
“Dick has phenomenal team depth,” said BG coach Tom Mroz, whose group lost its first East dual of the season. “We don’t really have a way to combat that.
“There sure are some things I would have liked to go better, but it’s kind of the nature of the time of the season we’re in. Kids are swimming tired right now. We had a lack of focus and discipline in executing some of the technical things. Between the flags, I thought we raced well.”
As did Hersey. Senior Erin Horne surprised herself by finishing just behind Jedryka in the backstroke in 1:02.28, a season-best effort. She’d been stuck at 1:04 so far this season, which explains why she was asking the timer in her lane if the time showing on the scoreboard was accurate.
“I was just hoping to see a 1:03 up there,” she said.
Hersey junior Amanda Petro anchored the medley relay, won the 100 and 200 free and anchored the winning 400 free relay. Sophomore Karolina Szymaszek won the 500 free in a season-best time (5:38.32) and Hersey got a 1-2 finish in diving from Megan Nocita (166.95) and Hannah Bovino (166.40).
Hersey senior Stefanie Kintzle had the breaststroke leg on the winning medley relay, then went on to win the 100 breaststroke in 1:13.86.
Those are pretty important contributions, especially considering Kintzle was ambivalent about being on the team before the season started.
“A bunch of our girls showed up at her house and convinced her,” Mortensen said. “It’s turned out great for her — she’s having a great time.”
As are the Huskies — together.