Glenbard North takes sectional

It was obvious it was going to be a special day for Downers Grove North.

The Trojans kicked off the meet with a 1:51.37 win in the 200-yard medley relay.

Then race after race, there were a lot of purple caps during awards ceremonies and subsequent cheers from a purple section of the stands as the Trojans won the sectional with 256 points.

"It was a fantastic day," said Downers Grove North coach Judy Busse. "They swam very well and exceeded our expectations. This is probably the first time we've come (into sectionals) and really performed together as a team. We had 100-percent best times so that is always fun."

From a team perspective it couldn't get much better as the Trojans eventually swept all three relays. In the 200 free, they went 1:39.65 and then closed the meet with a 3:38.39 win in the 400 free relay.

Fremd finished second with 209 points in a day that included four school records.

"We had a solid meet," said Fremd coach Andy Larson. "I'm pleased with what the girls did. We swam stronger a couple weeks ago but we still did all right. We're taking some kids down and a we had a couple of school records broken."

The Vikings opened the meet with an advancing 1:51.41 in the medley relay that was just four-hundredths of a second off the winning pace.

"It was exciting," said Kelli Dicanio, a member of that relay and individual qualifier in the breaststroke (1:07.05). "Our medley relay won and that was our main goal. We wanted to break the record and make state. In the 100 breast I was just shocked. It was an awesome day. We swam really well."

Nika Lauraitis, a senior who also swam on the medley relay, won the backstroke (59.04).

"It was a really good meet," Lauraitis said. "It was really nice because for most of the seniors, this was their last meet and it was good to go out with a bang."

Megan Kennedy broke another school record in the 100 free but didn't quite make the state cut.

Schaumburg freshman Sammy Schuckles qualified in two events, as the Saxons finished fourth with 158 points.

In the 50, she swam a 24.82 and took second in the backstroke 1:00.19.

"I was really happy with my swims," Schuckles said. "In the beginning of the season I wasn't doing so good but now that I'm shaved and tapered I'm (doing much better). I couldn't believe (I qualified for state) at first."

Just a few days after a mishap in practice, first-place diver Kelly Hendricks of Conant had an outstanding day with 405.25 points to guarantee her spot at state.

"I actually did pretty well for having an incident two days before," said Hendricks, who slipped off the board on Wednesday resulting in a few bumps and bruises. "My plan was to not be nervous and be calm for each dive. I feel pretty confident. I've been doing well this season. I have some harder dives (ready) for state."

For Downers North, Adrienne Bicek added two individual wins in the IM (2:08.83) and 500 (5:04.08). Both performances were dramatically below the state qualifying standard.

"I think it was great," Bicek said. "We had our teammates there cheering us on. I think it was a very well-prepared meet. We had a nice team going in and we just cheered each other on. No we're going to go on to next weekend and keep going."

Elaine Wilkinson won the butterfly for the Trojans in 1:00.77.

"I've never swum the 100 butterfly at state before so I'm really excited," Wilkinson said. "Since I didn't make the cut (time) at (sectionals), I just want to (swim that time) at state. Our team was amazing. Everybody worked hard and everybody was amazing and supportive. It was just great."

Haley Sims added another win in the 100 free (52.75).

"(The plan was) to see if we could win the meet, qualify in all three relays and get through as many individuals as we could," Busse said. "I'm very proud. They have worked so hard. They are really very deserving of this."

Ellie Roeing, a junior for fifth-place Glenbard West (120), got off to a good start with a win in 200 free (1:59.97).

"I'm really excited," Roeing said. "This is the first time I've made state so I'm just thrilled to go."

This is also the first official competition Roeing has seen this year.

"We don't have an official team, so this is the first meet that we compete at," said Roeing, whose mark was a personal best. "I'm really happy because I dropped a second (off my time)."

In the 200 individual medley, second-place Katie Johnson (2:12.10) swam the first of her two state-qualifying races for Glenbard West.

"I'm really excited," Johnson said. "I wish today my individual (swims) were little bit better so my seed time would be faster at state.

"It was a lot of fun. I'm glad Ellie made it, too. I won't be alone."

Johnson, a senior who will be making here third appearance at state, took second in the breaststroke with a qualifying time of 1:07.56.