Boys swimming: St. Charles North holds off Saints to win DuKane title

When the last stroke was completed Saturday, the St. Charles North boys swimming team had claimed the DuKane Conference team title with 252 points.

The meet was contested at St. Charles North. Rival St. Charles East was second with 246 points.

"I liked it when we were in the Upstate Eight with Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley and Metea Valley," said coach Rob Rooney. "This is good fun and fits everybody's needs. We want to build back better."

The North Stars were led by first-place efforts from freshman Thomas McMillan, who won the 200 intermediate (1:56.18) and 100 butterfly (52.11).

Senior William Deutmeyer, who will swim at Binghamton next year, won the 200 freestyle in 1:44.02.

"Coach Rooney has emphasized with being mentally tough," said Duetmeyer. "I have really been working on my back half.“

The North Stars won the 200 medley relay (McMillan, Brady Nightlinger, Francesco Alongi, Walker Hornstrom, 1:36.08) and 200 freestyle relay (McMillan, Deutmeyer, Hornstrom, Landyn Kruse, 1:28.14).

St. Charles East, which challenged North for the conference title, got a great performance from senior Kyle Algrim.

The Virginia Tech recruit won the 500 freestyle (4:35.60) and 100 breast stroke (58.12).

"I am swimming with confidence and am getting a lot better," said Algrim. “I feel great and I am ready for the sectionals and state."

The Saints ended the day by winning the 400 freestyle relay in a time of 3:14.68. Members of the conference champs were seniors Algrim, Ben Stevens, Connor Lougheed and Chris Souk.

"Kyle had a great day and the kids performed to the best of their abilities," said coach Adam Musial. "It was back and forth between us and North. We will now work on an individual basis and get ready for the sectional and state."

Lake Park placed third with 163 points.

Dominick Perkowski was a double winner for the Lancers. Perkowski won the 50 freestyle (21.98) and 100 freestyle (47.84).

Sophomore Matthew Karasek won the 100 backstroke in a time of 52.63.

"I have to get back to my training," said Karasek. "I want to get ready for the sectionals and state."

Lake Park coach Ben Witteveen was happy with the way his Lancers swam.

"We swam very well and swam with great focus," said the Lake Park coach. "We are excited for the sectionals in two weeks."

Wheaton co-op placed fourth with 162 points.

Luca Zdravkov was runner-up in the 100 freestyle and third in the 200 freestyle and Reese Boecker placed third in the 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly.

Glenbard North posted a fifth-place effort with 85 points.

The top performers were Cameron Decker (200 intermediate) and Victor Hanson (500 freestyle, eighth).

Bart honored

Aaron Gabriel remembers vividly swimming for first-year coach at St. Charles, Dave Bart, during the 1982-83 school year.

Gabriel, who later swam at Wisconsin, was a captain on the 1983 state champions.

"Coach had positive affect on people in the pool and off the pool," said Gabriel. "There was three things he always reminded of us. Be ready, be fierce and have fun."

Bart, who guided the Saints to four straight state championships in ‘83, ‘84, ‘85 and ‘86, was honored before Saturday's DuKane Conference meet. He received a plaque and a video presentation.

At age 70, Bart is retiring from coaching after this season.

He was an assistant for the Saints under Bob Teichert for six years, before leading St. Charles for eight years as the head coach.

Bart returned as an assistant coach at St. Charles East under Joe Cabel in 2007 and is currently working under coach Adam Musial.

"I had a great group of kids to work with," said Bart. "I wanted our kids to get better. There are three important things in my life — family, friends and St. Charles swimming and diving. I am getting older. It is time to travel and spend time with my wife and grand kids."

Current St. Charles North coach Rob Rooney swam on all four state championship teams for Bart. He swam collegiately for Western Illinois and Clemson. Rooney is completing his 23rd season as the North Stars coach.

"Coach (Bart) was a great motivator," said Rooney. "He could convince us to do anything. Now, it is about instant satisfaction. Back then, it was all about the journey."