Boys swimming: Vatev brothers lead Hinsdale Central to title at St. Charles East; Barrington takes second
Paced by the Vatev brothers’ four first place individual finishes, Hinsdale Central won Saturday’s St. Charles invite at St. Charles East.
The defending state champions scored a total of 427 points by sweeping the three relays races, winning five of the eight individual events and taking top honors in the diving competition.
Barrington captured second place in the 11-team field with 296 points. St. Charles North finished fourth (256) behind Glenbrook North (268). York rounded out the top five earning 253 points.
“We had a lot of turnover from the last year for sure, but at the same time we also had a lot of depth, so it was nice to bring some new names in,” said Hinsdale Central coach Bob Barber. “And it's hard to not talk about the Vatevs. They kind of dominated their races.”
Senior Matthew Vatev won the 100 free (47.57) and the 100 breaststroke (57.92) while junior brother Luke took top honors in 100 fly (49.98) and the 100 backstroke (49.69).
Brandon Suliga won the Red Devils’ fifth individual event. The senior swam the 50 free in 22.01 seconds.
Barber also lauded Jack Treadwell’s role in the 400 free relay won by the Red Devils with a time of 3:14.39 and Johnathan Fiero’s third place finish in the 500 free.
“Jack anchoring the 400 free relay was nice. It was good to see a time of 49.3 out of a guy that we're hoping to count on at the end of the year,” Barber said. ”It was also good to get Johnathan back to his 4:51 in the 500. We count on him to try and be there at the end of the year.”
The Vatev brothers also competed in the relays. Matthew swam in the 200 medley, won by the Red Devils with a time of 1:34.39, and the 400 free. Luke also competed in the 200 medley and anchored the 200 free relay contributing to Hinsdale Central’s winning time of 1:26.71.
“The 100 back was the most challenging. It was the last event I had during my lineup, and it was coming straight off of the relay that we won. I'm lucky we got a 15-minute break after that 200 relay,” Luke said.
“It was nice to take advantage of that, but I was still quite exhausted as I did have three races before it. But it ended up working really well and I accomplished a good time for the season.”
The Red Devils finished second in the three swimming events the team did not win. Hinsdale Central’s Alexander Zloza won the diving competition with a score of 505.55.
Luke Keller led Barrington’s effort by finishing second in the grueling 500 free (4:49.62). The Broncos also took second in the 200 free relay.
“Hard work at practice paid off because I was able to go out fast and hold it,” Keller said. “It's was just four seconds off my best time, so I'm pretty happy with that.”
Thomas McMillan, the top individual swimmer for the North Stars, took second in the 100 free (48.01). St. Charles North relay teams earned second place in the 200 medley relay and the 400 free relay.
“I just went back to my training, knowing that I've been putting in good work and trusting in it,” McMillian said.
Matt Glod led the Dukes with a second-place finish in the 100 fly (52.19).
Lane Tech’s Ashton Boek won the 200 free (1:44.48). Teammate Alexander Ivascu won both the 200 IM (1:54.32) and the 500 free (4:46.54). Lane Tech came in sixth place (246).