Backstroke in focus for Galvin

Sarah Galvin of Benet decided to focus on her 100 backstroke, and that paid dividends.

Galvin broke the Trojan Team Challenge Swimming and Diving meet record in the backstroke Saturday with a time of 58.68, and she has her eye squarely on winning the state championship in that event. Last year she finished second at state in the backstroke.

"I decided not to swim the 500 (she finished third in state last year), because I wanted to concentrate on the backstroke, and it helped," Galvin said.

Her time was one of six meet records broken at the Challenge, which was won by Waubonsie Valley with 479 points despite the absence of state qualifiers Elena Carvell and Andy Baumgartner.

"This was really a team win," said Waubonsie Valley coach Tom Schweer. "We said that the other girls would have to pick up the slack for Elena and Andy and they did that. Yesterday was our best day of practice all season, and they were feeling the effects of that today. We didn't have the greatest times, but when we needed to kick it up a notch we were able to do it. That shows we're competitive."

The Warriors were led by the performance of freshman Megan Sellers who broke the meet record in the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.75.

"Megan has been consistent all year long," Schweer said. "She's very talented and has a very high ceiling."

Host Downers Grove North, which finished second with 423 points produced the other four meet records including Adrienne Bicek's victories in both the 200 IM and the 500 freestyle, Haley Sims in the 200 freestyle, and the 400 freestyle relay team that included Sims, Emily Wilkinson, Emma Buckley and Bicek.

Bicek, who finished second at state in both the 200 IM and the 500 free, is looking to take that final step to the top in both events in this her senior year.

"I definitely plan to keep on going to try for two state championships," Bicek said. "I'm working hard and trying to stay positive.

Kris Busse, who filled in for her mother, Judy, as coach of the Trojans, had high praise for Bicek and Sims.

"These are great swimmers," Busse said. "And they're the hardest workers on the team. They're both right where we want them to be at this time of the season."

Sims was happy about the performance turned in by the 400 freestyle relay team.

"We were all excited and fed off each other," Sims said. "This race was a good indicator for us. If we keep improving this way we have a good chance to finish in the top six in the 400.

The Trojans also won the 200 medley relay.

Katie Crider of Downers Grove North was first in the diving competition with 279 points, edging Waubonsie Valley's Emily Kelly, who scored 273.30. Melissa Horgan of Lake Park was third with 254.10.

Alexis Spivak of Downers Grove South was first in the 100 butterfly, finishing in 58.55, the only time under a minute in that race.

Schaumburg won the 200 freestyle relay, and Sammy Schuckles of the Saxons finished first in the 50 freestyle.

Benet was third in the point standings with 348, followed by Downers Grove South with 261.