Palatine's Tiger Sharks send team to junior nationals

The Palatine Park District Tiger Sharks sent a strong team of 10 swimmers to the National Club Swimming Association's junior national meet in Orlando, Florida, March 15-19.

The Tiger Sharks competed against teams from across the country in this annual event, for which swimmers must meet tough time standards to qualify.

Leading the way for Palatine Park District was Sean Rodney, who made final events in the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley events. In the 200-yard butterfly, Rodney qualified with a time of 1:49.56, down from his seed time of 1:50.72.

Rodney also qualified for finals swimming in the 400 IM, with a preliminary time of 4:00.10, down from his seed time of 4:03.92. He also competed in the 100-yard butterfly, 200 IM and 200-yard freestyle.

Maggie Menso placed 13th in the women's 800-meter freestyle, turning in a time of 9:01.32. She improved in the 500-yard freestyle, going from 4:59.64 to 4:58.91. Menso also competed in the 200-yard freestyle.

Kristin Anderson swam in the 100 and 200 freestyle events, improving in the 200 free, going from 1:54.13 to 1:53.81.

Anderson and Menso were part of an 800-yard freestyle relay team that moved up 11 places from its seed position. They were joined by Megan Waddell and Sarah Miles.

Ellis Nelson swam in the women's 50-yard breaststroke and 200 individual medley. Alex Bartosik represented the Tiger Sharks in the men's 100-yard breaststroke, 100-yard freestyle and 200 IM. Nick Seroni swam the 100- and 200-yard butterfly.

Marcus Carter-Buckman competed in the 100-yard backstroke and the 50-yard backstroke. He teamed with Rodney, Bartosik and Seroni on the 800 free relay.

Sprinter Nick Nevins swam the 50-yard freestyle.

The head coach of the PPD Tiger Sharks is Tony Gallagher.