Boys swimming and diving: Mundelein gets better of Warren again
Boys swimming and diving coaches Chris Bertana of Warren and Rahul Sethna of Mundelein always circle the date whenever the schedule comes out as to when their respective teams will square off.
"We love facing Warren. They're a pedigree. A lot of tradition," said Sethna, whose Mustangs have beaten Warren four years in a row in their annual dual meet portion of the North Suburban Conference season.
"Chris and I are really good friends. We always have good meets against each other."
Well, make it five in a row because Mundelein came calling in Gurnee on Tuesday night and was happy to spoil the Blue Devils' Senior Night with a 112-73 decision.
That moved the Mustangs into sole possession of second place in the NSC at 5-1 behind Stevenson. Warren slipped to 4-2 in duals with the NSC championships coming up Feb. 15 at Lake Forest.
"Both teams are pretty equal but anytime we can come in and beat Warren, we're really happy," said Sethna.
Michael Romero had quite a night for Mundelein, being a part of four event victories.
He first joined Jack Long, Cale Sethna, and Parker Geary in winning the opening 200-yard medley relay in 1:42.29.
"Our relays have been solid for us all season," noted Sethna.
Sticking with relays, Mundelein also won the 200 freestyle relay when Aaron Anastos, Geary, and Omar Fathallah touched in 1:30.30.
Right behind in second was the Warren quartet of Jack Foster, Dante Rinaldi, Caleb Levy, and Riley Nebel (1:33.22).
The Mustangs' 400 free relay of Danny Oleinik, Anastos, Long, and Fathallah also finished first in 3:25.72. Warren's Levy, Jonah Park, Ryan Sundberg, and Robert Carlson were second (3:42.35).
Individually, Romero also won the 200 IM (2:03.47) and the 100 butterfly (54.71).
Anastos also won the 100 freestyle (50.23), Edwin Serrano the 500 freestyle (5:18.20), and Fathallah the 200 freestyle (1:48.41) and 50 freestyle (22.07).
Long also won the 100 backstroke (55.32), while Warren's Rinaldi touched second (59.68).
Warren went 1-2-3 in diving with Blake Vander Jeudgt leading the way with 227.45 points for six dives. Teammates Spencer Burton (219.50) and Michael Domke (181.55) were second and third, respectively.
Warren's Alex Carruthers swam a 1:06.00 flat to capture the 100 breaststroke, while running mate Evan Berndt was third (1:07.62).
Carruthers also paired with Natan Weiner, Levy, and Joemil Duka in taking third in the 200 medley relay (1:48.81).
"I remember I was a little freshman," reflected Weiner, a senior. "A lot of these guys I grew up with, so there's a huge bond. I've really grown as a person over my four years here."
Warren seniors honored included captains Jack Foster, Weiner, Nebel, and Spencer Burton; swimmers and divers Matthew Kuriakose, Samir Rihman, manager Ryan Odden, Jake Lynch, Asim Naved, Peter Mikolitis, Tunelius, Kevin Escalante, Duka, Drew Kilcullen, BJ Bamba, Quinn Dolan, Jack Batz, Noah Robles, and Nithin Chinnaswamy.
"A majority of these guys I've had for four years," said Bertana. "It's been fun watching them grow and grow up."
The Warren swimming and diving team is also holding a raffle to raise money for the Josh Church Memorial Scholarship Fund. Church, a standout swimmer for Warren, died suddenly three years ago last November. Portions go to the fund as well as some to the team.
Finally, if you think Sethna had the last laugh tonight over his old buddy, guess again.
"Our little rivalry started back in 2012 when both of our teams went to state," reflected Bertana. "We came away with a third-place trophy."