Boys swimming: Northwest state meet preview
Boys swimming state meet preview
When: Today, 9 a.m. (diving prelims and semifinals); 3:30 p.m. (swimming prelims); Saturday, 1 p.m. (swimming and diving finals)
Where: Evanston High School
Individuals to watch: If you're looking for a member of Fremd's swim team this weekend, here's a hint to how you can find them: go to the Evanston High School natatorium. With Alex Mikolajewski coming as an alternate, the entire Vikings' squad is heading to the state meet. No wonder coach Nicole LaBeau said the team has been in a very good mental state this week. If they can even come close to last Saturday's sectional-winning effort at Barrington, the Vikings will improve on last year's showing on the big stage when they scored only 1 point. Junior Sam Childs has the 10th-fastest time in the 200 free after posting a personal-best 1:43.41 last weekend. He's also the top seed in the 100 free (46.97) - but with the defending state 50 and 100 free champ, Brian Alden of Neuqua Valley, right behind him, it's going to be a battle. Junior Varun Shivakumar is targeting a top-six finish in the 100 back after taking 12th in the event last season. Last year's state qualifier in the 500 free is also looking to drop time from his sectional effort (2:00.83) in the 200 IM. Sophomore Sean Gonzalez joins Childs in the 100 free (48.61), freshman Jeff Freund is making a move for 4:50 in the 500 free, and senior Mike Moravek looks to improve on last week's third-place effort (1:01.78) in the 100 breaststroke. Fremd sophomore Brandon Trostrud (387.75) and junior Evan Ruggiero (365.75) both advanced last weekend, making it the third consecutive year the Vikings have been represented in state diving. The Vikings' relays also look for a Saturday swim after a strong showing at Barrington. In the 200 medley relay, Sean Carroo and Spencer Sophie join Shivakumar and Andrew Heideman, who both swam on last season's squad that finished 22nd at state. Sophie, Childs and Joey Chemello are joined by Gonzalez in the 200 free relay and Anthony Palcheck in the 400 free relay. Barrington looks to rebound from last Saturday's runner-up finish at sectionals, and with three strong relays, it was no surprise that coach Jim Bart said the team is still looking good. The 200 medley relay squad of Brian Marko, Justin Yu, Ben Redpath and Nick Santoro won last Saturday in 1:38.44 - Yu and Redpath swam on last season's 8th-place finisher (1:37.58) that earned 10 team points for the Broncos. Yu, Redpath and Santoro are joined by senior Sam Barnett in the 200 free (1:28.17) and 400 free relays (3:14.68). Marko, the sectional champ in the 100 fly (53.25) and the runner-up in the 100 backstroke (54.37), looks to drop time, as do Barnett in the 200 free (1:47.18), Redpath (sectional-winning 1:58.64) in the 200 IM, Santoro in the 50 free (22.14) and Yu in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.41). Prospect is riding a wave of momentum after last Saturday's effort at the Glenbrook North sectional. Knights coach Dick Mortensen called it the best taper he's seen in his nine years of coaching. Junior Charlie Mau made it in the 100 fly (53.32), and sophomore Tyler Bengsten (1:02.28) and junior Andrew Bowman (1:02.33) both went under the state qualifying time (1:02.46) in the 100 breaststroke. The three first-time state qualifiers are definitely going to soak up the experience, but since they're there, why not pick up a top-12? Schaumburg has a pair heading to Evanston today in senior diver Joe Buckley (362.30) and junior Aaron Johnson, who looks for a top-12 finish in the 100 breaststroke (1:01.44). Johnson swam the second-fastest split at sectionals in the Saxons' medley relay (27.0), but looks for a faster start off the blocks in today's 100 prelims so he can get swim on Saturday. Conant just missed advancing in a number of events at sectionals, but the Cougars will still be well-represented by junior Nick Rizza in diving. Second at conference two weeks ago (287.20) and runner-up at sectionals (371.75), the first-time state qualifier added the back 1½ pike and an inward double somersault to his repertoire this season. Solid dives with his inward 1½ somersault and front 2½½ somersault could equal a Cougar top-12. Maine West, fifth at last Saturday's Glenbrook North sectional, sends a familiar face and a not-so-familiar squad to the state meet. Senior Matt O'Hagan won his third consecutive sectional title in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.37) and looks for an improvement today from last year's 1:01.64 in the prelims. And the Warriors also advanced a relay - the 200 medley - for the first time in 29 years after it held off Glenbrook South 1:39.51-1:39.69 for the sectional crown.
What they're saying:
"The relays swam so great at sectionals - I'm sure they'll hold their own." Fremd coach Nicole LaBeau.
"It took a little while, but it finally hit me." Prospect junior Charlie Mau, on qualifying for state for the first time.
"I still want that top-six in back." Fremd junior Varun Shivakuamr.
"We're hoping our relays can score us some points next week at the state meet." said Barrington coach Jim Bart.