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Girls swimming: Make it 3 straight state titles for Rosary

By the time Rosary got out of the New Trier pool on Saturday, smiling and soaking wet after taking the state championship trophy for a swim, the Beads were all alone on-deck with all other schools having left the building.

That was somehow appropriate because for the third straight year, Rosary's team dominance left the Beads standing alone at the top of the team's elite by some distance. This year, the margin was 169-138.5 over second-placed Oswego.

"We have so many talented swimmers that we end up killing you with depth," Rosary coach Bill Schalz said. "We don't have that true standout who you say 'she will win two events for us.' You want to win events, but at the end of the day, you want to win the state title, and we did that. And that's the most important thing."

Rosary did win one event, the meet-opening 200-yard medley relay. Individually, junior Anne Tavierne was third in the 200 freestyle and fifth in the 500 freestyle. Of five Rosary swimmers who scored in two events, Tavierne's finishes were both in the championship final. Tavierne knows all about Rosary's history. Her sister Elisabeth graduated in 2009 and was part of the school's first four championship teams.

"It's awesome to be part of a team that's so supportive of each other," Tavierne said. "Everyone did just awesome today. We knew it could be close today, but we knew we could win."

Rosary was second in the 200 freestyle relay and third in the 400 freestyle relay. Individually, Camryn Streid was eighth in the 200 IM and third in the 100 butterfly; Athena Ye was fourth in the 50 freestyle and ninth in the 100 backstroke; Sydney VanOvermeiren was fourth in the 200 IM and seventh in the 100 breaststroke; Kathryn Mueller was seventh in the 100 butterfly and 10th in the 100 backstroke while Emily Ryan was eighth in the 50 freestyle.

"Knowing when you're behind the blocks that you have people supporting you makes you swim to your fullest potential," Ye said. "Freshman year, we were close, but every year, we've grown so much closer."

St. Charles North has been a perennial Top 10 finisher, but has moved that up a notch recently. For the second time in three years, the North Stars claimed the third-place trophy after winning a meet-long battle 108-104 with Normal Community.

"We performed (Friday) and got our relays in, and that was key," St. Charles North coach Rob Rooney said. "We're very fortunate that we've got some freshmen who grew to be sophomores who have got some guts."

Of the North Stars' results, none was more important than Megan Armstrong's seventh-place finish in the 100 backstroke, which had Rooney celebratory and visibly relaxed the team.

"I was a little angry with how our (200 free) relay swam a little bit before that, and I knew we could get third in this meet if we stepped up and tried our best. I wanted it so badly that I got it. I was so excited with the time and I could see everyone on our team was excited, and that made me so happy," Armstrong said.

St. Charles North's other results included senior Audrey Guyett finishing fourth in the 200 freestyle and third in the 500 freestyle. For her career, Guyett earned 16 state medals, the maximum allowed. She finished in the Top 6 in both distance freestyle events for four straight years.

"I'm going to miss these girls so much," Guyett said. "I feel like I've been here more than four years, watching my sister (Monica) swim. But it's an amazing feeling. (The trophy) was definitely one of our goals this year, and we did it."

Armstrong also finished 12th in the 200 freestyle. Mallory Jump was 10th in the 200 IM and fifth in the 100 butterfly. The North Stars' 200 medley relay was second, the 200 freestyle relay was sixth and the 400 freestyle relay was fifth.

St. Charles East's breaststroke swimmers had a long wait to make their mark in the water on Saturday, but they took full advantage of their opportunity when it arrived. Kayla Jones was ninth and Mary Jania was 10th in the event.

"I'm a little disappointed, but every year, the meet's faster," Jania said. "I want to train harder and come back next year faster. I realize where I need to improve."

While Jones' career came to a close, Jania has two years remaining with the Saints.

"It's been a lot of ups and downs, but I really like the coaches and there's nothing but good things," Jones said. "I'm looking at this as a steppingstone to what I have coming for me, swimming at Missouri. But it was fun. I loved leading them and that was awesome."

Another stellar career came to a close Saturday when Crystal Lake co-op's Valerie Tarazi finished third I the 200 IM and second in the 100 breaststroke.

Images: Girls state swimming finals

  St. Charles North swimmers celebrate their third-place state finish at New Trier High School in Winnetka Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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