Neuqua wins first team title; Alden takes 2 individual races

All Brian Alden wanted to talk about was the team effort that produced Neuqua Valley's first state swimming championship, and all his teammates wanted to talk about was Brian Alden.

Alden, who won both the 50- and the 100-yard freestyle state championships for the third year in a row and also anchored a pair of successful freestyle relays, achieved what he called a greater victory by sparking the Wildcats to the state championship at Evanston High School on Saturday.

"We achieved the goal we had since the beginning of the season," Alden said. "And everyone was great, even the guys who weren't here today. It's so much better to win a state championship as part of a team than it is in an individual race."

Alden pointed to the 200 medley relay team of John Mikuzis, Brad Kay, Ryan Farmer and Mike Lehman, which finished sixth, and diver Chris Murray, who finished second, for providing the points that were among the keys to victory.

While he wasn't satisfied with the times he produced in his individual races, Alden was pleased with the victories and what they meant to the team total.

"I'm just happy I'm doing what I can for the team," Alden said after the 50 freestyle. "I got us 16 points and I can't do any better than that."

While they placed top-six in all three relays, the Wildcats won only the 200 freestyle, and that was in a pool and school record 1:24.10.

Lehman, who swam the third leg of that race, expressed his confidence in Alden, who was the anchor man.

"I realized I was even with the other leader in the race," Lehman said. "And knowing that Alden was jumping in fourth, I knew I didn't even have to watch the end of the race, because I was sure he would win."

The Wildcats won their first state title with 144 points, just ahead of defending state champion New Trier, which scored 139. Glenbrook South, with 118, was third and the leader of a pack of worthy contenders including fourth-place St. Charles North with 101 points, Naperville North with 100 and Naperville Central with 93.

Going into the 400 freestyle relay, the final race of the day, the Wildcats knew they just had to finish the race without being disqualified to wrap up the championship.

"We knew the title was in the bag," said Neuqua Valley coach Chad Allen, "so all we had to do was finish the race. We're thrilled, and Alden's leadership carried us today."

Kevin Overholt, who finished second in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 100 freestyle, was the other Wildcat who placed in the top-six in his individual races.

"This was a tribute to an entire year of hard work in practice," Overholt said. "Everyone stepped up. But Brian motivated us the entire season with his encouragement and by example. This is the realization of his goal."

There was another state champion from DuPage County at Saturday's meet, and that was Bryant Honsa, of Lake Park, who was lightly regarded by the pundits before the season.

Honsa, a junior, pulled out a little at the end to win a neck-and-neck battle with his friend and rival Burke Sims of Downers Grove North.

The Lancers freestyler participated in last year's race though suffering from walking pneumonia and spent the past 12 months preparing to make up for that terrible experience.

Lake Park coach Dan Witteveen said during the season that he believed Honsa's illness at state has put him under the radar this year.

After Saturday's race Witteveen said: "He trained by himself in one lane. All these other guys have people to push them. He's awesome."

"I was so excited with (Friday's preliminary) results that I could hardly sleep," Honsa said. "All five top finishers will be back, so next year will be so fast, and I'm going to be pumped up for it."

Sims finished third to Honsa's fourth in the 200 freestyle.

Naperville North, which was fifth in the standings, did it all with four swimmers on its state team.

"What they did was amazing," said Naperville North coach Kurt Johns. "They came in Friday mentally and physically ready. Three of our four guys -- Conor Handley, Jackson Hill and Phil Lechowicz -- are seniors and it's hard to put into words what they've meant to the program."

The 200 freestyle relay finished fourth and the 400 freestyle relay was third.

Hill placed second in the 100 freestyle and third in the 50 freestyle, while Handley came in with a second-place finish in the 200 IM. Sophomore teammate Will Heidler placed sixth in that race.

Naperville Central surprised some people with an impressive sixth-place finish The Redhawks were fourth in the medley relay and second in the 400 freestyle relay.

"We were under the radar all year," said Tyler Hsieh, who was on both those relays. "We were at our best at this meet. This was our time to show everyone."

The Redhawks' Bobby Rickert and Ben Reasons were fourth and fifth in the 100 breaststroke.

Hinsdale South's Dan Jung was fourth in the 50 freestyle and the Hornets' Jordan Dyson was third in the diving.

Downers Grove South's Matt McCahill was fifth in the diving competition.