Plenty of fun for Wildcats

Winning and breaking records is fun, but when talking with Neuqua Valley star swimmer Kevin Overholt, you get the sense that he's enjoying himself every time he jumps in the pool.

Overholt and his Wildcats teammates had a blast Saturday afternoon, holding off Naperville Central 369-340 to top the 10-team field at the Neuqua Valley Varsity Invitational. Hinsdale Central was third at 189.50, with Naperville North and Lockport rounding out the top five.

The Wildcats senior helped Neuqua win a pair of relays, but just impressive were his wins in the 500-yard freestyle - in which he broke his own school and pool records in 4:37.45 - and the 200 freestyle.

A state qualifier last year in the 100 and 200 free, Overholt swam the 500 for the "fun" of it and for the chance to update his time in the school's record books.

"I think every year you have to improve on what you've done before," he said, after capping his grueling, exciting day by helping Neuqua win the 400 free relay in 3:14.53 to beat runner-up Naperville North by five seconds. "Definitely in the off-season I improved on my technique and my strength and it's paying off this year."

Overholt swam on a state-championship relay last year and also medaled in the 100 and 200. The 500 just happens to be another event he can excel in when given the chance.

"It's definitely an event I can do," he told reporters as if they needed to be told. "I was just out there today for the team record. It's a lot of fun and there was not a lot of pressure."

Neuqua coach Chad Allen likes his leader's enthusiasm and results, but he knows it's not all fun and games.

"Kevin's probably one of the best practice guys we've ever had," Allen said of Overholt's worth ethic. "He broke the 500 team and that was the only one that was more than three years old. That was exciting to get that one off the records boards."

Overholt was just one of many Wildcats to come up big, including senior captain Mike Lehman, who joined Grant Betulius, Brien Gerber and Hans Peters to start the meet off well with a win in the 200 medley relay. Lehman then took first in the 50 free and also helped the Wildcats take the 200 free relay.

For the Redhawks, Mike Greco took the diving title at 393.95 points, while Jeff Depew was second in the 200 IM and second to Neuqua's Betulius in the 100 backstroke.

Will Heidler made a splash for Naperville North by winning the 200 IM in 1:57.27 and the 100 breaststroke in 1:01.10.

"I just come in to swim and this is another opportunity to come out and race," Heidler said. "As a team we did really well. We went up from paper (seeds) to actual which is always great."

When asked how he and the team are holding up during a draining part of the swim season, Heidler added: "We're all working real hard and the team's holding up real well. We won't be quitting any time son."

The Red Devils had one individual winner as Mike Smith won the 100 fly in 53.43, with Neuqua's Ryan Jadwin second and Naperville Central's Depew third in the race.