Boys swimming: Hinsdale Central sets national record while aiming for third straight state title
Hinsdale Central, seeking its third consecutive state championship, got off to a great start at Friday’s preliminaries at FMC Natatorium in Westmont.
How about setting a national record in the first event of the evening?
The Red Devils’ foursome of Luke Vatev, Joshua Bey, Henry Guo and Matthew Vatev won the 200 medley relay in the time of 1:26.75.
That bested the standing national mark of 1:26.88 by 13 seconds.
“Clearly a good sign,” said Hinsdale Central senior Frankie Adamo, who himself qualified individually for Saturday’s finals in the 50 free and the 100 free. “I think we’re going do great things at this meet.”
Adamo added that it’s “a little bittersweet” being at the pool this season for his final high school meet.
“I feel like I’ve come a long way since my freshman season,” Adamo said. “I never would have expected to be in the position I am now, and I’m just so grateful.”
Buffalo Grove senior diver Michael Surowaniec is in terrific position heading into Saturday’s finals. He placed sixth Friday with a score of 233.15.
It’ll be the third year Surowaniec has participated in the state tournament. He finished 11th last season.
“He joined the swim team in his freshman year,” said Bison swim coach Tom Cooney. “Then he migrated over the diving side, and has just been getting better and better every single year.
“He trains hard, is really focused, and that shows at the meets. (When) he went all in on diving, he didn’t look back, and kudos to him and his (diving) coach Joe Eckert.”
Cooney added that Surowaniec has to stay focused to excel Saturday.
“Three dives tomorrow,” said the coach, “and if can hit those three dives he’s got a good shot. He’s earned everything he’s got and I’m excited for him.”
Preliminary victors at FMC Friday included Bey of Hinsdale Central in the 200 individual medley in the time of 1:46.73; teammate Guo in the 100 fly (47.15); and Luke Vatev of the Red Devils in the 100 free (43.50).
Luke Vatev also was fastest of all in the 100 back at 46.52. Matthew Vatev (53.85) triumphed in the 100 breaststroke.
Aidan Kaplan of Lyons was second in the 50 free while Dan Burke of Vernon Hills took third. Yury Praksin of the Cougars finished second in the 200 free.
Sophomore Brayden Capen of Marmion was runner-up in the 500 free. Hinsdale Central won the 200 free relay while Oswego took first in the 400 free relay.
Stevenson's Sirui Wang qualified for Saturday in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 IM.
The senior will swim for Boston College after graduation.
“This is kind of sad, my last high school meet,” said Wang. “But we (the Patriots) are hoping to come away with a trophy.”