Partridge finishes with a flourish
Stevenson senior Duncan Partridge tied his own school record in the 50-yard freestyle (21 seconds) Friday in preliminary competition of the state swim meet at Evanston High School.
Partridge was hoping to break 21 seconds since this was the first time this season he was fully tapered.
"I didn't get out like I wanted," Partridge said Friday. "Tomorrow, I want to come out swinging."
Partridge came out swinging so much Saturday that he almost captured a state title. He placed second with a time of 20.59, just behind two-time defending champion Brian Alden of Neuqua Valley (20.40).
Alden posted a time of 20:16 on Friday
"He almost broke 20 seconds and I was at 21," Partridge said. "I was a little worried, but I'm definitely happy now."
Partridge had a tremendous start and had a narrow lead after 25 yards.
"I was really pulling for him," said Warren senior Kirk Gagliardo, who swam in the consolation finals and competed against Partridge for four years. "He just got out-touched at the end."
Partridge said Alden, who also won the 100 freestyle (45.10), has no weakness.
"I had a really good start and a good turn," Partridge said. "He just has more power than me and was able to get away."
Partridge was hoping to break 45 seconds in the 100 freestyle. He fell short (46.16), but his season-best time was still good for third place.
Partridge also anchored Stevenson's 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays. The 200 relay, consisting of Partridge, Greg Spigelman, Jamie Clark and Matt Duncan (1:26.43) tied for ninth. Partridge, Clark, Duncan and Ty Kuper took ninth in the 400 (3:12.88).
Gagliardo was second in the 50 freestyle consolation finals (21.56), good for an overall eighth-place finish. This was the first time Gagliardo has the opportunity to get a second swim at state.
"This was his goal since he started," coach Erik Rogers said. "He was able to just focus on one race; he swam (very controlled)."
In the 100 freestyle, Mundelein senior Kevin Coughlin had a colorful cheering section. Teammates Pat Falconer, Ricky Luckas Will Davidson, Zach Purol and Mike Begrowicz spelled out 'Kevin' on their chests.
"Those guys really got my psyched up for my race," said Coughlin, who finished in 10th (47.49). "I'll really miss those guys. The (season) went by pretty fast this year."