Rolling Meadows finds winning answers against Hersey

The bus getting Hersey's swimmers to Olympic Pool wasn't on time, and the Huskies' top swimmer was battling a sore back.

None of which stopped Hersey from giving Rolling Meadows a tough early season boys swimming test Thursday.

The defending Mid-Suburban East champion Mustangs did end up winning their divisional opener for both teams 101-84, and coach Monika Chiappetta said the closeness of the meet was a good illustration of the importance of taking nothing for granted.

She found it encouraging that her 200 and 400 freestyle relays won with good times - and that her young team answered Hersey's strong performance in the front end of the meet with similarly tough efforts in the latter portions.

"I think my guys are very sore, and they're swimming tired," Chiappetta said. "Even with those circumstances, we were able to get some excellent races in today."

Sophomore Josh Dellorto came up with a strong effort in winning the 200 free (1:49.48) and placed second in the 100 fly (55.23). And he joined David Myers, Jake Pors and Filip Pancerz on those winning free relays. Pancerz, a junior, won the 100 back and 100 free, Myers won the 50 free and Pors took top honors in the 100 breaststroke.

Those free relay performers are among Meadows' well-established returners from last year's team. So Chiappetta was just as encouraged finishes such as the second-place from junior Jack Mallek in the 100 breast.

"He was in third place until his third wall, and he came up with a very strong pull-out after that turn and that made the difference for him," Chiappetta said. "I'd say Jack is one of several swimmers who have an opportunity to take a step up for us this year, and he's really been working toward that."

Hersey standout sophomore Michael Petro won both the 200-yard IM (2:01.74) and the 100 fly (53.43). He also had a strong fly leg on the winning medley relay (24.26) and provided a nice anchor leg on the 400 free relay - all the more impressive considering he was negotiating some discomfort in his back.

Huskies coach Dick Mortensen will be looking for performers to complement Petro's ability this year, and on that level he likes what he's seeing. With five freshmen and five sophomores in the varsity lineup, there are plenty of variables in the equation, but already it's starting to add up.

Except, perhaps, for the logistical challenges.

"Today felt like it was a disaster waiting to happen," Mortensen said. "We've got the kids getting here late because of the bus, it's the first home meet so there's always some nerves with that, then Michael's back and being careful with that . . .

"Overall, though, I thought we competed very well. There were a lot of positives for us."

Such as senior Collin Rieker, a senior who's quickly improving in the sprint freestyles.

And with youngsters Ethan Huene and Stephen Hahn, Mortensen is especially appreciative of their ability to put what they're being taught into their races.

"They've really, really listened to everything I've been telling them, and that makes such a difference," Mortensen said.