Lesson learned as Buffalo Grove tops Prospect
Buffalo Grove’s special season continued to be that way Friday night, as the Bison took a huge step toward an outright Mid-Suburban East boys swimming championship by topping visiting Prospect 111-75.
One more victory next week against host Rolling Meadows would cement an unshared divisional title for the Bison and complete a perfect run against its East foes.
But Friday was special for other reasons.
As the last home MSL dual meet for seniors such as Ian Rodriguez and Jon Mass, it was an opportunity for them to truly leave their mark with the program.
Rodriguez certainly did so, setting pool and team records in winning the 200-yard IM (1:58.49) and 100 breaststroke (59.15).
On the breaststroke, it was clear that Rodriguez was focused.
“I had him at 12.65 on the first 25, and 27 and change at the 50, and I knew we were in business,” said Buffalo Grove coach Jamie Klotz.
But overshadowing the individual achievements of the night was the fact this BG team had learned its lesson. A year ago at roughly this same period of the season, the Bison were scratching their heads, having lost a 2-point decision to Prospect.
The loss stung, and it wasn’t forgotten.
“It was really a lesson for us,” Klotz said. “Prospect earned it that day — they stepped up. I’ve been telling our guys that you can’t just expect things to go the way you want them to go. You have to make it happen on that day — you have to earn it.”
Rodriguez wasn’t simply swimming the breaststroke for vanity. Prospect’s Nathanael Ginnodo has been dropping time by leaps and bounds, so using Rodriguez in the event was a key tactical move aimed at preventing a Knights’ win in the event.
Ginnodo ended up at 1:03.37, a terrific swim and ever closer to the state cut. Andrew Younger and Michael Morikado delivered a 1-2 Prospect finish in the 200 free and Younger also won the 500 free.
But the flexibility of Matt Schulstad again helped BG, as the junior won the 100 fly and 100 backstroke along with providing legs on the winning 200 medley and 400 free relays. Diver Julian Vasquez produced a stellar 236.00 to win diving and teammate Andrew Cabalfin (194.35) took third between Prospect’s Matt Muniz (200.25) and Andre Burke (188.00).
The Bison also won the 200 free relay with Nick Poirer, Nick Boukas, Ryan Chlopowicz and Mass.
Mass says the difference between his first years with the team and this one is he’s realized how important every performance is.
“Looking back at my sophomore year, I know everything I did mattered,” he said. “But now I think I just understand how important everything is to my team. Everyone’s counting on me — I think that really helps me stay focused.”
Mass said he was disappointed in his own winning time Friday in his favorite event, the 50 free (23.04).
But he’s focused on the Bison’s invitational scheduled for Saturday as another chance to improve, and he’s not losing sight of his long-term goals for the season.
“I feel like I’ve got a chance to make state in the 50 free, 100 free, medley relay, maybe another relay,” he said. “I’m just going to keep putting in the work and stay focused.”
Conant d. Schaumburg: The Cougars clinched a tie for the MSL West title with a 138-48 decision against Schaumburg.
Conant swimmers took first place in all races and senior John Maevski won diving with 222.25. Junior Jonathan Burke (200 IM, 400 free) was a double individual winner for Conant.
Hersey d. Elk Grove: Senior Alex Roznai won the 100 fly (55.78) and 100 back (59.28) and had legs on the winning medley and 400 free relays to help Hersey in a 117-68 victory over host Elk Grove. Another double winner for the Huskies was Jamey Hill, in the 200 free (1:57.17) and 100 free (51.96).