Girls swimming: Palatine seniors looking forward to a monstrously fast finish

At Palatine High School's Trick or Treat Night on Thursday, the girls swimming and diving team hosted a haunted house, converting the faculty lounge into a veritable house of horrors.

As visiting children sampled the various games and attractions throughout the building, a few of the younger ones didn't quite seem up to the legitimately foreboding atmosphere the swimmers had dreamed up.

No problem - for this was a haunted house planned by the team's seniors, who had antipicated every eventuality.

For the less adventurous trick-or-treater, a "Non-scary" option was available, and clearly labeled as such.

Credit the team's high-achieving seniors for such keen preparation, which is also evident in the way they've approached their own swimming seasons.

Tess O'Brien, Kristin Anderson, Mathilde Mogensen and Kelsey Hank are those Palatine seniors, and coach Brittany Berleman is delighted in the all-hands-on-deck participatory vibe they've inspired.

"There's no doubt, I have a bunch of seniors who really lead by example," Berleman said. "A night like this is just one thing out of so many that they do for the school, and for the community."

The senior-led Pirates hope to put a scare into their competition in Saturday's Mid-Suburban League meet at Barrington, starting at 11 a.m.

Palatine has the top-seeded 200 free relay and is seeded just off the top time in both the medley and 400 free relays.

Anderson is one of the state's elite freestyle sprinters and is the top seed in the 50 free for the conference meet. A state qualifier last year, she recently committed to Illinois and will continue her swimming career there on scholarship.

She's hopeful of finishing her senior swim season with a top-six finish at the state meet in the 50 free in a few weeks at New Trier, but just as important is the way the Palatine teams she's represented will be remembered.

"We've been told a few times that we're one of the most polite teams, and that's all Tess," said Anderson, her face oozing fake blood from a pretend gash administered by O'Brien. "She's the one that really sets the tone with doing things the right way, about being considerate, being good hosts at home meets. She's the one for all the details."

And make no mistake, O'Brien has plenty of details to keep track of.

She is president of the school's Service Club, which features Berleman as sponsor.

O'Brien is also editor of the school paper and an award-winning writer for it, a captain of both the swimming and water polo teams. She partipates in National Honor Society functions and in the school's Presidents Club - and all of this while excelling in four AP classes.

In the pool, too, O'Brien's versatility and commitment has been a big plus. She's done well in just about every race available over the years, and in her final sequence of high school meets, she's focused on taking a leg on the Pirates' frighteningly fast sprint relay.

"I feel such a connection to the other seniors," O'Brien said. "We know each other so well, and I think we've really helped each other over the years we've had together. Like, I know I wouldn't be able to sprint like I can now if it wasn't for Kristin and Kelsey - and in the breaststroke, it seems like I've always beem chasing Mathilde."

Hank was a relative latecomer to swimming but has steadily improved, to the point that she was a key member of last year's edition of the Palatine sprint relay, which qualified for the state meet. She's earned a top-six seed in the 200 free at the conference meet and figures to invest plenty of energy making sure everyone is enjoying themselves - and behaving themselves.

O'Brien only half-jokingly referred to Hank as the Pirates' Team Mom.

"I guess that's kind of true," said Hank with a grin. "I do try my best to keep everybody happy.

"I think we've all been lucky to have each other, if you think about it. I look at it like we've been a good support system for each other the whole time."

The outlook is bright for Palatine at Barrington this weekend - and beyond. Sophomore Ellis Nelson will get the Pirates big points, junior Katelyn Kurrie's continued gains give Palatine a much more complete lineup than a year ago, and freshman Mary Obernesser is already fitting right into the varsity picture.

"The big thing about having seniors like we have this year is they really help get our younger swimmers ready for the roles they'll eventually have," said Berleman. "It's hard to overstate how important that is."

One key facet of leadership is putting the team first, an area in which Mogensen excels. She will handle the butterfly leg of the medley relay for Palatine at the conference meet - an unusual development, as her top individual races in the past have been the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke.

Like her three senior teammates, Mogensen is looking forward to the spring water polo season. Palatine has become a regular qualifier to the Elite Eight in that sport and seems to have a great shot at repeating the feat this season with four of its core players back in action.

But none of Palatine's seniors are looking forward to the end of their unique partnership in the water.

"All the hard work, all the time we've spent together, that's what makes it special," Mogensen said. "We've got a special bond - that's the part that will be irreplaceable."