Prospect pushes past Meadows
There was plenty on the line for the Prospect boys swimming and diving team Friday night as it faced off against rival Rolling Meadows at the Elk Grove pool.
The Knights knew that if they could defeat the Mustangs, they'd win the Mid-Suburban East.
They'd also gain some revenge for last season, when Meadows just edged Prospect for the title.
"We were stoked," said Knights tri-captain Jack Gabriel. "We thought we had a great chance. We even planned a pizza party back at my house if we won."
Chances are the pizza delivery was right on schedule as Prospect outpointed Meadows 106-79 to complete a 5-0 effort against its East foes for the divisional championship.
"I'm excited," said Knights coach Alfonso Lopez. "We were close last year, and the door kind of opened for us this season. We had a great opportunity and those kind of opportunities don't come along that often."
Gabriel was part of a winning effort for the Knights in the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:34.42, while Rolling Meadows swimmer Josh Dellorto won the 50 free (22.89) and and the 100 fly (55.25).
The strong showing of Dellorto paced a senior night effort for the Mustangs, who finished 3-2 in the division.
"It's kind of weird to think that this is my last division meet," said Meadows senior David Myers, who helped the Mustangs win the 400 freestyle relay in the time of 3:29.23, and was also part of the Meadows title team last year.
"I kind of felt that I'd be swimming with these guys all my life," said Myers. "Last year we had a great group of guys and we had a lot of depth. This year we had a great group as well, just as good as last year, but it just played out differently."
Anthony Liva got the Knights out to a great start with a win in the diving competition, then Prospect swimmers Ryan Lakner, Isaac Ginnodo, Matthew Inserra and Nick Partipilo won the 200 medley relay in 1:43.20.
Sophomore Jake Pors gave the Mustangs a boost with a 200 free win (1:52.76), and also a victory in the 500 free (5:10.37).
"My goal was to have the guys come out and work hard, and go down fighting," said Rolling Meadows coach Monika Chiappetta. "I'm proud of the way they swam tonight."
Mustangs junior Filip Pancerz, who won the 100-yard backstroke (57.53), said Friday's performance was all about Meadows' seniors.
"They started at the bottom when they were freshmen and they worked all the way up to a championship last season," said Pancerz. "I think this is a great way for them to go out."
Alex Morikado assisted in the Knights' winning performance with a victory in the 200 IM in 2:07.70.
Inserra was victorious in the 100 free (51.11), and the Knights' Jacob Kosinski won in the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.50.
"This is great," said Gabriel of the Prospect win. "We lost a heartbreaker to Buffalo Grove (for the East crown) when I was a freshman, then we won my sophomore year.
"Last year was another heartbreaker when Meadows ousted us. This season was a year-long redemption, but when the season started not everyone felt that way. Then we beat Wheeling in the second week of the season, and we knew the East title might come down to that meet. After that, everybody started to believe."
After the win, Lopez lauded the season-long performance of tri-captains Gabriel, Ginnodo and Morikado.
"Those are the guys who set the tone with the effort they put forth," Lopez said. "Hopefully the guys coming up see that and follow their lead and understand it's something to strive for."