Bagley sisters pace Wheaton's best sectional

In a day of outstanding performances, Wheaton co-op's experience in the 200-yard IM was perhaps the most remarkable occurrence at Saturday's Neuqua Valley sectional.

Sisters Meghan and Erin Bagley of Wheaton, finished eighth and 10th, respectively, in the event to qualify for next week's state meet, which is a fine accomplishment.

But they did it by swimming in adjacent lanes in the event's third fastest heat, and that's a testament to the sisters and to the depth of talent at the sectional, regarded as the strongest in the state.

"It was really exciting," junior Meghan Bagley said. "I didn't see her until I made the turn on the freestyle, the last stroke, which may have made me a little more nervous because then I started thinking, 'Oh, we both have to make it.' Once we came out first and second in the heat and qualified, it was great to have her there to celebrate in the lane next to me."

"Neither of us had the time we needed for the state cut going in," said Erin, a freshman. "We knew we were close because we heard our teammates on the deck getting louder and louder on the last leg."

Meghan said the two tried to support each other at practice all week.

"But once the race started we knew we had done all we could," Meghan said. "So it was just stay calm and don't get hurt and keep your head in the game. She caught up with me on the breaststroke, and we stayed together on the freestyle."

"The two girls are a perfect complement to each other," said Wheaton co-op coach Jacob Ayers. "They train well together, and if one of them has a rough day, the other one picks her up."

Meghan also qualified for state along with teammate Jessica Wellick in the 500 freestyle, while Erin earned a second qualification in the 100 breaststroke.

Erin swam the third leg of the qualifying 200 medley relay, which also included Emma Rogers, Wellick and Cindy Jezuit.

Meghan anchored the 200 free relay, which also included Jezuit, Kaitlyn Simoneau and Sarah Schaffer.

Wellick also qualified in the 200 freestyle.

"Our girls came here to do a job," Ayers said. "I've never had a group swim this well at this meet. Meghan and Jessica were both great in the 500 to make the cut and get to the next level. I couldn't be happier with our entire team."

The sectional, which qualified 93 swims for the state meet at New Trier next weekend, was dominated by three-time defending state champion Rosary, which won 10 of 12 events, including all three relays.

The Beads earned 311 points to easily outdistance host Neuqua Valley, which scored 189, and Naperville North was third with 161. Benet followed with 153, followed by Waubonsie Valley with 145 and Naperville Central with 126.

Wheaton co-op was eighth with 99 points.

Rosary's Olivia Scott won both the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly (Mackenzie Powers of Rosary finished second). Sarah Sykstus and Katherine Hare were 1-2 in the 50 freestyle, while Emily Launer won both the 200 and 500 freestyle. Diana Norkus won the 100 freestyle and Powers was first in the 100 backstroke.

"The good thing about winning so many events is that we're racing well," said Rosary coach Bill Schalz. "And that's important for next week when we'll be trying to touch people out and win close races. Winning such a deep sectional is going to prepare them for next week."

Karolina Wartalowicz of Oswego East kept the Beads from winning every swimming race, when she finished first in the last individual event of the day, the 100 breaststroke. She also finished second in the 200 IM.

"I felt strong and confident today in the 200 IM," said Wartalowicz, who finished third at state last year in the 100 breaststroke. "But I forced a little in my breaststroke, and now I know what to do and what not to do."

Waubonsie Valley's Taylor Eggenberger bested Neuqua Valley's Lauren Mikulecky in the diving competition. 452.990 to 425.65. Grace Miller of Rosary was third with 401.80.