Stevenson closes the deal, wins sectional

Stevenson boys swimming coach Greg Hartman didn't mince words when describing his team's goals for the sectional meet it hosted.

“Today is about punching your ticket to the state meet,” he said. “Taking care of business here — getting into the state meet first.”

Numerous successful transactions of the sort occurred in Lincolnshire on Saturday.

Leading the ledger sheet at the end of the afternoon were Hartman's Patriots with 287 points, ahead of Barrington (185.5), Cary-Grove (178.5), Jacobs (169.5) and Buffalo Grove (163.5).

Stevenson qualified both its entrants in three events, and both its freestyle relays were winners, substantially faster than the state qualifying time.

Senior Langston Fitts had legs on both relays and won the 50 free (21.19) and 100 free (46.23).

“For him, it's a day to compete — and he did that really well,” said Hartman of Fitts. “There'll be better things next week, but any time you're in the low 46's ... I mean, he's not tapered, no cap today. We think he'll really be ready next week at Evanston.”

The Pats had two more double individual state qualifiers in seniors Chris Hodges (200 IM, 100 breaststroke) and Ryota Kuwahara (200 free, 100 back).

Junior James Lichtenstein cruised to victory in diving with 442.40, ahead of freshman teammate Blake Ripes (402.50), who is virtually assured of an at-large state berth.

“Our program is really about depth,” said Hartman, “so it's important to us, and especially our seniors, to have a good day today and bring a full team to state. And we really did that.”

Other Pats locking up spots at state were junior Patrick Galas (200 free), senior Daniel Shtivelberg (100 free) and Allen Feng (100 back).

Lake Zurich has a small program in terms of numbers, but the Bears also have quality.

Junior Kuba Pelka qualified for state in the 100 fly, and senior Kyle McNair earned the opportunity to compete again in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke.

“It's the first time our team has been able to send more than one swimmer to state, so that's pretty neat,” said McNair.

Cary-Grove junior Michael Hamann served notice that he will contend for state championship in the 200-yard IM next week. He lopped about 2.5 seconds off his previous best this season in winning in 1:52.83.

A three-time state qualifier, Hamann also won the 100 back (52.18) and had leg on two state-qualifying relays: the 200 medley with Ryan Hamilton, Joe Weber and Jon Curtis; and the 400 free relay, with Tyler King, Curtis and Andrew Brierton.

The day couldn't have gone much better for coach Rick Andresen's Jacobs team.

The Golden Eagles won the medley relay with Alex Reinbrecht, Josh DeDina, Alex Elston and Ryne Quinlan in 1:35.94. Subtract Reinbrecht from that foursome, add in John Jost and you've got Jacobs' state-qualifying 200 medley relay.

Reinbrecht procuded a 10-second time drop in the 500 free, winning in 4:40.58; he also qualified for state in the 200 free (1:44.44).

Elston, a senior, won the 100 fly (50.38) and was third in the 50 free (21.67).

Josh DeDina took third in a state-qualifying time in the 200 IM, and he helped Jacobs wrap up its eye-opening afternoon in the 100 breaststroke, where he finished third and advanced to state along with Quinlan, who was sixth.

“Our coach got us together on Tuesday and explained that we had a chance to do something really special this year,” said DeDina. “He said this might end up being the best team he's ever coached. Everything pretty went perfectly for us — just stellar.”

Barrington had one episode it couldn't control — health — working against it.

Two-time defending Mid-Suburban League diving champion Nolan Presmyk found out late in the week that he had chicken pox, and thus could not compete.

Aside from that disappointment, and a near-miss from Barrington's 400 free relay at the end of the meet, the Broncos had the kind of day they were hoping for.

“On balance,” said coach John Valentine, “I'd say it was an exceptional day for Barrington swimming.”

The Barrington medley and 200 free relays both advanced to state. Junior Kyle Ujiye placed second in the 100 fly, comfortably under the state standard.

Junior Jack Strauss placed second in the 100 free (46.96) and fourth in the 50 free (21.70), both times that will earn him a spot at Evanston for a second straight year. And sophomore breaststroker Connor Kobida broke a minute for the first time this season, placing fourth in 59.92 and qualifying for state.

“It's just a result of the work I put in this year,” said Kobida. “Everybody on our team has been working harder. We think that will show up next week, too.”

For Buffalo Grove, it was one euphoric event after another Saturday.

The Bison smashed too many team records to count, starting with the state-qualifying medley relay of Ian Rodriguez, Ryan Chlopowicz, Matt Schulstad and Jon Mass. The momentum continued in the 200 IM, where Rodriguez (1:55.17, 2nd place) and Schulstad (1:58.48) both advanced.

Mass, a senior, added to the fun with state-qualifying efforts and best times by a mile in the 50 free (21.49, 2nd) and 100 free (47.56, 3rd).

Rodriguez, Schulstad, Nick Poirier and Mass placed second in the 200 free relay, and Rodriguez wrapped things up for BG by winning the breaststroke in 59.45.

“I'd say it was probably the single best day in the history of Buffalo Grove boys swimming,” said BG coach Jamie Klotz.

Senior diver Julian Vasquez finished third at 378.75 and stands an excellent chance to make state with an at-large berth.

The best news for BG is that there may be even better things in store next week. Rodriguez hadn't started his end-of-season taper yet, so it's logical to assume the Bison relays can improve at the state meet.

“With Jon (Mass), we tried to leave a little bit in the tank for next week,” said Klotz. “I'm real optimistic we can get a few tenths here, a few tenths there, and be faster — and then Ian, well, he'll be ready to go.”

Hoffman Estates juniors Nick Jessee and Sang Han were certainly ready on Saturday. Jessee earned repeat state trips in the 100 and 200 freestyles, and Han lowered his own team record by qualifying for the state meet in the 100 breaststroke in 59.96.

Fremd had a repeat state qualifier in junior Dennis Kostidis (200 free, 1:45.06) and a first-timer in junior Andrew King (100 free, 48.23).

Rolling Meadows junior Artie Checchin punched his own state ticket in the 50 free, an especially sweet result since he'd been a near-miss in the event in his first two tries.

According to coach Monika Chiappetta, an improvement in focus a few weeks back made all the difference for Checchin, a standout receiver for the Mustangs football team.

After the meet, Checchin was leaving for Bloomington to visit Illinois Wesleyan, where he plans to eventually join the football team.

An explosive burst at the line of scrimmage — uh, make that the starting block — serves Checchin particularly well in the 50 free.

“The last few weeks, I really started focusing, listening to everything my coach told me,” said Checchin.

“He's a performer,” said Chiappetta. “He's so gifted — he's only scratching the surface of his swimming potential. I'm really excited for him. He's earned it.”