Redhawks team up to top Wildcats

While no questions were answered about either team's postseason lineup, it was clear that the host Redhawks defeated Neuqua Valley to put an extra glow on senior night festivities.

The Redhawks, who led by a single point going into the final event, finished 1-2 in the 400-yard freestyle relay to pull out a 98-87 victory over the Wildcats. The winning relay team was composed of Vanessa Hendrix, Erin Lamb, Grace Hendrix and Amy Prestinario.

"This was a good test for where we are at this point in the season," said Prestinario, who anchored that relay team and won both the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. "That was a good relay at the end, but we're still trying out different people on relays to see where everyone goes."

Redhawks coach Jon Carlson said he doesn't expect anything to be cleared up until the DuPage Valley Conference meet, which is still 2½ weeks away.

"That will be our shakeout meet," Carlson said. "A lot of events are open as to who goes where, so there will be a lot of pressure on everyone at that meet."

In addition to Prestinario, the Redhawks received winning individual swims from Lamb in the 100 backstroke and Lauren Spaits in the 100 breaststroke,

Nicole Kmieciak produced the other Redhawks victory, winning the diving competition, with 217.70 points.

Carlson had high praise for Prestinario and Lamb for the leadership they provide for the team both at practice and in meets.

"Amy is the exemplar for our program," Carlson said. "I don't know if everyone can do what she does in terms of time, effort and energy. Erin also has that kind of dedication. It pays off for both of them as it did tonight."

For Neuqua Valley, which has rarely put its complete lineup together this season due to illness, injury and college visits, there were some encouraging signs, including the work of Kathleen Patterson, who won both the 200 IM and the 500 freestyle, Andrea Belter, who won the 100 freestyle and finished second in the 200 freestyle, and Atlantis Wilkins, who finished first in the 50 freestyle.

The Wildcats also finished first in both the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.

"We had a lot of bright spots," said Wildcats coach Jennifer Heyer-Olsen. "Andrea had a mission in mind and swam an awesome 200 free and a solid 100 free. Jeanette Nolte did a 0.59 in the fly and that was gigantic for her. We lost some close races. We're not as deep as we'd like to be. We're short in a couple of events, but overall we swam well."