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Girls swimming: Elk Grove continues its hot start to season

Elk Grove's girls swimming team is making waves this year.

The Grenadiers, who have already won three dual meets to match their best mark in 20 seasons, added an invite victory to their repertoire Saturday when they won the 39th annual Hawk Invitational at Hoffman Estates.

Elk Grove posted 372 points to easily finish ahead of South Elgin, which scored 310 points. Host Hoffman Estates was third with 304 points.

"This meet is always a great meet," said Elk Grove coach Dave Toler, whose team finished second last year. "We still have a number of dual meets to go to and some invites. Some will be good, some will be bad, but we are making huge strides."

Natalie Wlodarz and Kylie Rittle each had big days in the pool for the Grens Saturday.

Wlodarz won the 100 butterfly (1:01.75) and the 200 individual medley (2:18.45).

"I was very surprised to go 1:01, "said Wlodarz, who is a junior. "I wasn't expecting it. I was in a calm mind state and was really ready for the race. Here we go: 1:01."

Rittle was the fastest freestyler in the pool. The sophomore won the 50 freestyle (25.81) and the 100 freestyle (57.33).

"It went pretty well for me today," Rittle said. "It was fun being here and swimming with my friends. It is a great way to finish in our first invite of the season."

The duo also helped with winning relay teams. They paired with Rachel Ford and Michelle Cobirzan to win the 400 freestyle relay (3:55.98). They also teamed up with Ford and Dea Papaleka to win the 200 freestyle relay (1:48.72). The relay team of Papaleka, Corbizan, Ava Hennig and Rittle won the 200 freestyle relay (1:48.72).

Ford also came up with an individual win. She finished first in the backstroke (1:08.73) and was third in the 200 freestyle.

Hoffman Estates' Brooklyn Fuscone edged even closer to the school record for diving. Fuscone scored a 219.90 to win the event and was just 6.40 from tying the record.

Amy Lam won the breaststroke (1:15.22) for Hoffman. The Hawks also got second-place finishes from Cristina Virlan (200 freestyle) and Emma Kronfeld (500 freestyle) along with the 200 freestyle relay.

"It went real well for us today," Hoffman Estates coach Katie Varga said. "A lot of girls got their personal best, Brooklyn was very close to the record. I think this is her year."

Maine East was fourth with a 278. The Demons were led by Jordan Oslowski, who won the 500 freestyle (6:06.61) and was third in the backstroke. Irene Lazanyi was third in the 50 freestyle while Ariel Aguilera was third in diving.

"It went real well," Maine East coach Peter Przekota said. "We have the largest team we have ever had, so we are not overwhelmed. It is a lot more fun to swim when you have a lot of people supporting you."

Wheeling scored 166 points to finish fifth. Although the Wildcats did not have a top-three finisher, head coach Katelyn Tomasetti said she was happy to see the improvement in her squad.

"I am proud of our girls, Tomasetti said. "They did a really good job. I think most of our girls dropped some time today and that is great. Hopefully we can keep doing that."

  Hoffman Estates' Amy Lam starts the second leg of the 200 yard medley relay at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  South Elgin's Sara Rygula competes in the 200-yard freestyle at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Maine East's Maggie Musiejuk leads her heat of the 200-yard individual medley at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Elk Grove's Rachel Ford finishes the 200-yard freestyle at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Elk Grove's Anja Restak competes in the 200-yard freestyle at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Hoffman Estates' Cristina Virlan competes in the 200-yard freestyle at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Elgin's Tessa Halleen competes in the 200-yard freestyle at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Maine East's Irene Lazanyl gets set on the starting block for the 50-yard freestyle at the Hoffman Estates girls swim invitational Saturday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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