Loyola, Prospect tops at Jamboree
You might say that there is little that's official about Rolling Meadows' Wild Stallion Jamboree boys swimming invitational.
After all, the relay meet that's now in its 10th year features events that range from the unusual to the ridiculous.
In a word, the meet is a blast.
With a lot of strong swims and wins, Loyola reigned as this year's champion with 244.5 points.
Prospect (158) was second, followed by Buffalo Grove (144.5), Downers Grove North (128), Addison Trail/Willowbrook (102), Jacobs/Dundee-Crown (99), Lane (77), Rolling Meadows (68), Elk Grove (50), Leyden (47.5), Hersey (45.5) and Northside Prep (32).
"I think there's enough pressure all season on the boys to perform and step up to the plate at big meets," said Rolling Meadows and host coach Monika Chiappetta. "This is a way for them to let loose and still swim fast in events they would never see. That's the goal of the whole meet: to have fun."
The Knights were well-represented. They won the 200-yard butterfly relay in 1:50.18m thanks to Chris Hoffman, Charlie Mau and Tim O'Grady.
"We' wanted to gauge as a team what we have," said Prospect coach Dick Mortensen. "I'm extremely happy."
The Knights showed some youthful strength in the frosh/soph 200 medley relay (1:51.18), as Joe Lakner, Tyler Bengtsen, Ed Martin and Eric Opland took second.
The varsity squad of O'Grady, Andrew Bowman, Mau and Opland took third in the varsity 200 medley relay (1:48.37).
Ryan Koniczka, Martin, Pete Nocchi and Matt Reiner swam a 45.91 for second place in the 100 class free relay. The Knights also swam thirds in the 400 medley, 200 back and 200 breaststroke relays.
"It's a fun meet," Mortensen said. "But it also breaks up the monotony of the first two weeks of practice. It was a good day today."
The Bison received a win in the 300 free relay (2:33.15) by Tom Galla Jeff Grossich, Yegor Poustalov and Daniel Karpiyevich.
"We gave the opportunity for some guys to step up," said BG coach Jamie Klotz, whose Bison were a few swimmers short. "A lot of guys achieved some personal bests that they would not have achieved otherwise.
"I'm real pleased with the efforts. As always, I still want to work on the details."
Mike Hausfeld, Grossich, Poustalov and Karpiyevich added a 1:47.98 second in the varsity 200 medley relay. Also second, in the 200 back (1:53.48), were Hausfeld, Karpiyevich and Matt Cooney.
The host Mustangs received a solid effort from Jeff Dykstra, A.J. Adams, Steven Gerbatsch and Tyler Diers in the 300 free relay. Their 2:36.73 effort was good for third.
"It's good team bonding and we're proud to have it at our facility," said Chiappetta, whose team shares the pool at Elk Grove. "Everyone likes competing here. They all swam well."
Adams added 23.58 fourth in the in the varsity 50 free.
Elk Grove was led by a couple of fifth-place finishes. In the 300 free (2:46.38), it was Derek Oswald, Scott Kemp, Keith Pettker and Josh Nishida. Maverick Enolva, Damian Zabielski, Kemp and Nishida swam a 2:00.58 in the 200 medley class relay.
"We wanted to have some fun and see what some guys can do in relays," said Grenadiers coach Scot Gustafson. "We hope to see a great team effort."
Hernando Sevilla swam a 24.07 to tie for sixth in the varsity 50 free for Leyden.
"We were trying to see where we're at," said Leyden coach Chuck Skrabacz. "We're very young and we have a lot of sophomores stepping up."
The Eagles were fourth in the 350 free relay (3:16.91) by Andrew Saenz, Pat Aherns and Hernando Sevilla.
Tony Ponzo tied for sixth in the varsity 50 free in 24.07 for the Huskies.
"We're trying to get times in different events," said Hersey coach Tod Schwager. "This is a great meet to try people in difference events that maybe you don't have the ability to do in dual meets."
All of Saturday's fun was leading up to the grand finale. As always, it was one sweet way to finish.
It's the Gummy Worm Relay -- eight lengths of the pool by eight swimmers with kickboards.
Besides the obvious bragging rights, the winning relay gets a 10-pound sack of gummy worms in lieu of medals. For those who are wondering, the Ramblers were the ones with stomach aches on the bus ride home.