Rosary repeats with ease

Long before they took their ceremonial dip in the pool with the state championship trophy, Rosary spent Saturday afternoon lapping the field at the girls state swimming finals.

The Beads scored 184 points and earned their third straight state title, easily eclipsing Hinsdale Central and New Trier, which tied for second with 101 points.

In winning its third straight title, the Beads enter the record books in many ways. A team has not won more than back-to-back titles since St. Charles won six straight, the last of those titles coming in 1999.

Rosary's point total is the most since Lake Forest scored 186 in 2002 and the victory margin equals New Trier's 221-138 margin set in 2000 over Rosary.

And while the meet was well in-hand from its midpoint, Rosary's girls let loose with a stream of heartfelt emotions in hug after group hug at the meet's end.

"My hands are shaking," Rosary senior Kally Fayhee said. "I know we've won the title before. But in this, my senior year - it's a completely new feeling that I didn't think I was going to feel. I swore I wasn't going to cry and when Olivia (Scott) hit the wall and we won, the emotions came out."

The race Fayhee referred to was the 400-yard freestyle relay - made of Fayhee, Scott, Kara Savegnago and Rachel Burke. The quartet survived a three-way battle with New Trier and Hinsdale Central and completed a sweep of the relay events - something last done by Hinsdale Central in 1993.

The Beads also currently hold the state records in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.

The groundwork for the sectional certainly came at the Sectional, where the Beads qualified enough entries to have an impact at the state meet. But the performances on Friday, coupled with the lack of a strong push by the other contenders, left the Beads in dominant position.

"I think we definitely got it done at sectionals and we definitely got it done (Friday)," Fayhee said. "So today was just a fun day."

Rosary set the record in the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay in prelims. The Beads quartet of Savegnago, Scott, Fayhee and Katherine Hare bettered their 200 freestyle relay record by .01 on Saturday - a mark that now stands at 1:33.88.

"I haven't felt like this since we won for the first time, sophomore year," Savegnago said. "It was the greatest team ever to be on, and we won. Everything came together." Mackenzie Powers gave the Beads an individual state title when she touched first in the 100 butterfly. Powers was to have participated in a dominant Rosary performance in the event but Olivia Scott was disqualified in prelims.

"Since (Scott) wasn't in it, I knew I had to win it," Powers said. "It was such a weird event (Friday) that I wanted to win it for Rosary."

Scott, who cheered long and loudly for Powers, was another of the red-eyed Beads following the meet.

"After the (400 freestyle relay), it all hit us," Scott said. "We all love each other so much. It was a great meet and we felt really happy."

Scott showed little effect from the disqualification. She finished second in the 200 individual medley and was a force on the two freestyle relays.

"I didn't want to let one thing upset me," Scott said. "I wanted to stay positive and show team spirit. I was happy for (Powers.) If anyone could have won it, I wanted it to be her."

Rosary also powered a series of top individual finishes. Savegnago was third in the 50 freestyle, while Hare was ninth in the same event. Elisabeth Tavierne was third in the 100 backstroke, Fayhee was sixth in the 200 freestyle and seventh in the 500 freestyle.

Angie Chokran, seeded first in Friday's prelims, finished second in the 100 breaststroke to Barrington's Emily Fogle.

"I was happy with my splits, but I know I could have done better - obviously because I didn't swim a best time," Chokran said. "That'll do for now. Maybe next year."

Chokran also finished fourth in the 200 individual medley.

"(Friday), I did very well in my breaststroke and (Saturday), I did very well in my IM," Chokran said. "I guess you put that together and it makes a great meet."

Jessica England finished 10th in the 500 freestyle and the North Stars 200 medley relay finished seventh.

St. Charles East finished 24th in the meet and had three swims in finals. Kayla Scott won the consolation final heat in the 100 breaststroke and finished seventh.

"I dropped time and I did my best time and I'm happy," Scott said. "I had a really good 200 IM and dropped 2 seconds (in prelims.)"

Emma Smith finished eighth in the 500 freestyle and ninth in the 200 individual medley.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Photo Galleries</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/story/?id=253156"">State tournament photo gallery </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>