Time flies as Barrington claims MSL title

A balky timing system made for a slow start during Saturday's Mid-Suburban League boys swimming at Barrington.

Turns out there was still plenty of time for Barrington to show its superiority.

Greg Alexander and Leo Hayden won two events apiece and the Broncos won all three relays as they steadily outdistanced their competitors, winning with 280 points.

Second place went to Conant (210.5), and Fremd, which disqualified its 200 free relay (which would have finished third), took third place at 200.5.

Prospect stepped forward to claim third at 147, followed by BG in fifth at 115.5 and Palatine sixth at 113.

"After a little bit of a rocky start," said Barrington coach John Valentine, "I was really pleased with the overall effort. At the end of the meet, I was concerned we might not have enough gas in the tank with our 400 relay (which features no seniors), and racing against Conant and Fremd, you're going to have to be ready. I thought we answered that challenge, and that's what you're looking for at the conference meet."

The Broncos counted five best-ever times and four performances that bettered the state-qualifying time standard. Alexander edged Buffalo Grove sophomore Ian Rodriguez to win the 200-yard IM (1:59.39-1:59.88) and surged to victory ahead of Prospect's Tyler Bengtsen in the 100 breaststroke (1:00.31).

Hayden and teammate Jack Strauss placed 1-2 in the 200 free (1:47.72) and Hayden delivered another eye-opening win in the 100 fly (52.75), where he edged Fremd's Jeff Freund (54.78).

Other top-six finishes from Barrington included Strauss in the 100 free (second), Dan Comyn in the 50 free (first, 21.93), Kellen O'Connor in the 100 fly (sixth), Alex Anderson in the 100 free (third) and 100 back (fifth), Matt Lee in the 50 free (third) and Tommy Clement in the 100 back (third).

"It's very different from last year, when we were really led by a group of seniors who were all very talented," said Alexander, a junior.

"This year, we don't have that, but everybody has really stepped it up together."

Conant's lone victory came from Ryan Chiero in the 100 free (48.71), but the Cougars showed the kind of consistency it takes to beat quality teams. All three relays placed in the top six, senior Will Landgren placed fourth in the 200 free and third in the 500, and swimmers such as Alan Wojciechowski (third in the 100 fly) and Victor Lim (third in the 100 breaststroke) dropped big chunks of time.

"I think everybody's really happy with our overall results," said Conant coach Brian Drenth, whose team went unbeaten in duals against its MSL West foes. "We had some pleasant surprises and no big disappointments. As we rest up, we'll be a little more precise, but I'd say we're right where we need to be."

Aside from the relays disqualification, Fremd also had a very solid day. In addition to Freund, who won the 500 free in 4:50.98, Dustin Anderson placed second in the 50 free (22.30) and helped the team pick up points on the medley and 400 free relay, both of which had season-best times.

The Vikes also got individual points from Sean Gonzalez (fourth in the 100 free, seventh in the 200 free) and a big boost from breaststrokers James Tokuda and Ilya Skvortsov, who placed 4-5.

"I'm mostly pleased," said Fremd coach Nicole LaBeau. "Time-wise, we're fine. For us, it's a matter of focusing on the little things and make sure we're prepared - goggles staying on, relay exchanges."

Fourth place was a terrific spot for Prospect to finish.

The Knights' top performers were Joe Lakner (second in the 100 back, fifth in the 100 fly) and Bengtsen. But what might have made the difference for the Knights were the cumulative gains made by their relays, none of which finished lower than fifth.

"It's just nice to us have solid relays across the board," said Prospect coach Alfonso Lopez. "We wanted to get into position to see if we'd realistically have a chance to make the state meet with one of them, and I think we at least have a chance in the medley."

Rodriguez, a sophomore exceeded coach Jamie Klotz's expectations with his times in the IM and a winning effort in the 100 backstroke (55.88). Having been through this meet last year seemed to help Rodriguez.

"I just feel more comfortable," he said. "In the 200, I was hoping to be under two minutes, and in the backstroke, under 55. So to do that is exciting. I feel like I'm on the right track."

All but four of BG's performances were season bests, and competitors such as Brad Lotzer, Matt Schulstad and Kirill Goldin all helped make it a happy day for the Bison.

Palatine's highlight might have been the efforts of Brad Ferris, who had point-scoring finishes in both the 100 back and 200 IM. Others with eye-opening times included Trevor Leonard in the 100 back, Greg Bell in the 100 free and Eric Nielsen in the 500 free.

"All year, these guys have really been into it, very focused," said Palatine coach Ed Richardson. "We had a point, after the 100 fly, where I had to talk to them and let them know that at this meet, it's the intensity that counts. After that, we were fine."

Hersey was disappointed by its seventh-place finish, especially after having beaten all the MSL East foes in duals. Jeff Ruffin (fifth in the 200 free) and Alex Roznai (fourth in the 100 fly) had the Huskies' best finishes.

"Overall, we're not satisfied, and I think if you ask our guys they'd say the same thing," said Hersey coach Dick Mortensen.

Schaumburg, paced by Ben Epperly's first time under the five-minute mark for second place in the 500 free and a third in the 200, placed eighth.

Hoffman Estates got a third-place finish from its 200 free relay of Mike Christen, San Han, Nick Jessee and Paul Organ, and Jessee placed sixth individually in the 200 free.

Rolling Meadows counted 24 season-best performances, and sophomore Artie Checchin - a football standout for the Mustangs last fall - continued to show improvement, placing sixth in the 200 free (51.44) and eighth in the 50 free (23.33).

"He's a natural athlete and a fierce competitor," said Rolling Meadows coach Monika Chiappetta.

"We're working toward having that same fierceness in practice. A little more conditioning would really help the back half of his 100, but he's really come a long way this year."

Wheeling got a sixth-place finish from Tim McDaniel in the 200 IM, and Elk Grove's Marek Burtan placed sixth in the 100 breaststroke (1:07.81).