Hersey enjoys winning perspective

Hersey girls swimming coach Dick Mortenson is seeing things from a different perspective these days.

Formerly in charge at Prospect, he's now guiding the Huskies - and quite successfully, as evidenced by a decisive victory in the 10-team Buffalo Grove Stampede on Saturday. But it's definitely odd for him to view the athletes he so recently coached at Prospect as an opponent.

"It was a little strange when they walked out on deck," said Mortenson. "I'm kidding around with (Prospect's) Megan Dix on deck, and she reminded me that I'd always told them not to talk to the other team during a meet."

Probably not a bad rule, and Hersey sure to seemed to have its focus. Amanda Petro won the 100-yard free, placed second in the 100 backstroke and combined with Kristy Johnson, Christine Rovani, and Kathryn Korff to win the 400 free relay, and with Rovani, Korff and Caroline Stoklosa to win the 200 free relay.

Rovani delivered a career best in winning the 100 breaststroke (1:10.31), and Katelyn Reszotko placed second in diving behind Prospect's Christina Pekar.

"We placed 1-4-7 in the 100 free, then 2-4-6 in the 100 backstroke," said Mortenson. "You combine that with winning the 200 free relay, and that's a nice little stretch for us. Our depth really helped us out here - we're very happy with the meet."

Hersey amassed 448 points; Prospect was second at 337.5, just ahead of the host Bison (320). South Elgin placed fourth (283), followed by Rolling Meadows (262.5), Conant (187), Jacobs (160), Cary-Grove (155) and Dundee-Crown (99).

Prospect, now coached by onetime Knights swimmer Alfonso Lopez, had their share of high points. The medley relay of Dix, Jessica Cavaiani, Greta Pietraszek and Amanda Drucker won in 2:00.02, the same group placed second in the 200 free relay, and Pietraszek won the 200 IM in 2:22.22.

South Elgin had individual winners in Hannah Rueger (50 free, 26.11) and Haley Erath (100 fly, 1:04.84). Cary-Grove's top individual finish came from Lauren Curtis (second, 200 free).

Rolling Meadows' Neeka Szacilo placed second in the 500 free (5:27.66) and the Mustangs picked up big points by finished second in the 400 free relay in 3:52.66.

Buffalo Grove coach Tom Mroz was pleased with the way his team battled back after a disappointing disqualification in the medley relay. Veronika Jedryka won both the 200 and 500 freestyles, Sara Fasching won the 100 back and placed second in the 100 free and Angela Rodriguez placed second in the 100 breaststroke.

"Everybody always wants to swim a best time," said Mroz, whose team will visit Hersey on Thursday in a key Mid-Suburban East dual. "But sometimes it's just as important to hold your time at the same level. We had a lot of that today, and it's good to see. Everyone's working hard - that's what matters."