Hamann, Hasemann finish strong

On Day 2 of the high school boys swimming state meet in Evanston, South Elgin junior Nick Hasemann and Cary-Grove junior Michael Hamann both ended up having performances that suited them Saturday.

In Hamann's case, literally.

Uncomfortable with the feel of the compression suit he'd worn in a somewhat disappointing qualifying session Friday, Hamann reverted to a more familiar model, the same one he'd donned the previous week at the Stevenson sectional.

The wardrobe adjustment seemed to pay dividends, as Hamann moved improved by nearly two seconds in his 200-yard IM to place eighth in 1:52.68. That's his highest finish yet in three straight years of state meet competition.

“So much of swimming is mental,” said Hamann, “and I just felt more comfortable in the suit I was wearing today.”

Hamann also placed 12th in the 100 backstroke with about the same time as his qualifying effort. He has until next year to ponder the fact that his IM time Saturday would have placed him in the championship heat if he'd been able to deliver it a day earlier.

Asked what lessons he'd take from the weekend, Hamann replied: “Got to swim faster on Friday.”

Hasemann also made significant strides on the second day of the meet.

After narrowly making the top 12 in the 200 freestyle Friday, he won the consolation heat in 1:41.76 Saturday. And then he completed his day by producing the kind of performance he'd been hoping for all weekend.

Hasemann went nearly a second faster than his prelim effort in the 100 backstroke, placing fourth in 50.60 for his highest finish yet.

After the race, he was already identifying the ingredient he felt had been missing for him at Evanston.

“Just confidence,” he said. “I'll be a senior next year, and I think that might make a difference.”

Jacobs' Alex Elston completed his prep career with an eighth-place finish in the 100 fly (50.99). He, too, will have a ‘next year' in swimming, but it will be at the collegiate level.

Elston is interested in environmental science and is investigating either Lewis Univerity or Wisconsin-Green Bay. But he seemed to realize there's really no equivalent to the high school experience.

“I'm just kind of sad to have it end,” he said.

Hinsdale Central's Danny Thomson was taking aim at a national record in the 500 freestyle after setting a state record in Friday's prelims.

The Stanford-bound senior didn't equal Jeff Kostoff's otherworldy mark from 1983 (4:16.39) — but he did better his own state record, finishing in 4:18.86 to a standing ovation from fans.

Thomson and New Trier junior Reed Malone were even until the halfway point, when Thomson started slowly but steadily pulling away. Malone was second in 4:21.02. Both had claimed titles earlier in the meet; Thomson the 200 free (1:37.47) and Malone the 200 IM (1:48.35).

It was nothing but good news Saturday for Barrington.

Junior Jack Strauss improved upon his prelim time and finish in the 100 freestyle. He placed ninth in 46.71.

“(Friday) is the stressful day here, trying to make sure you get a chance to come back,” he said. “And then today, it's just, you've got a chance to race. I was a little more relaxed, and that helped.”

That vibe also seemed to permeate the Broncos' 200 freestyle relay, where junior Kyle Ujiye, sophomore Sebastian Pekarski, senior Tom Clement and Strauss placed ninth in 1:26.54, slighty faster than their qualifying effort. Strauss provided an anchor leg of 20.7.

“We accomplished what we set out to do here,” said Barrington coach John Valentine, who's encouraged that he'll only lose one senior from his group of state meet qualifiers. “We wanted to race here on Saturday, and we wanted to score points in the state meet.”

New Trier won its fifth state title in the last seven years, and this was clearly its best team yet. The Trevians won all three relays and placed one competitor in each championship heat in every event except the breaststroke.

Senior Max Grodecki led the way, winning the 50 free (20.24) and the 100 free (44.66). New Trier senior Jordan Sacks also won diving as the Trevs amassed 250 points.

Naperville North placed all three relays in the finals and had finalists in Andrew Eiken (200 free, 100 free) and Nick Bessler (200 IM, 100 fly) in finishing second at 130. Warren — despite getting a disqualification in the 100 fly — took third place at 80 for the program's first state trophy.

Naperville Central senior Sean Lehane won the 100 backstroke and placed second in the 200 freestyle, and Edwardsville senior Max Byers won the 100 breaststroke.