Mundelein swimmers ready and Abel

The Mundelein boys swimming team can take some real pride with the way it has performed in NSC duals.

While the Mustangs have lost to traditional powers such as Lake Forest and Stevenson, they scored victories over Zion-Benton, Warren and Vernon Hills. Mundelein closed out the conference slate on Thursday at Libertyville.

"They have definitely exceeded my expectations," coach Rachel Abel said. "Our first to fifth times are so much faster than they've been. We're a really deep team, and we have a good attitude pretty much everyday on deck."

Mundelein's 400-yard freestyle relay team went to state last year, and this year's team has a shot at going as well. The relay typically consists of seniors Ricky Lukacs, Kevin Coughlin, Zach Purol and sophomore Pat Falconer. Freshman Will Davidson joins Lukacs, Coughlin and Falconer on the 200-freestyle relay. This relay is about two seconds off the state cut.

"I've tried to keep the same people together in the freestyle relays," Abel said. "They're used to each other and they're very consistent. If the score is close, and we need a win, they make it happen."

In the individual events, Lukacs' versatility has been a boon for the Mustangs.

"He's really been a distance swimmer since age group, but he's stepped up all the other events," Abel said. "When he's competing in an event, he's usually winning or close to winning."

Lukacs will likely swim the 200 individual medley and the 500 freestyle at sectionals.

"He's so much more confident in himself," Abel said. "I know he'll drop a ton of time at sectionals."

Seven-foot Kevin Coughlin is making the most of his senior season. He is down to 49.3 in the 100 freestyle and 22.8 in the 50 freestyle.

"He used to just go along in practice, but now he's putting a lot more intensity into it," Abel said. "He has improved greatly."

Falconer has made major strides since his freshman season. He just missed qualifying in the 200 freestyle last year, although he did swim at state's on Mundelein's relay team.

"His (near) miss in the 200 freestyle gave him a lot of motivation to work hard over the summer," Abel said.

Although he has not tapered yet, Falconer has recorded a personal best in the 200 freestyle (1:47.4).

"He's worked a lot on his turns and that's really helped," Abel said. "I knew he would be swimming pretty fast, but he's a little ahead of schedule."