Boys swimming and diving: St. Viator, MSL East teams thrive at Deerfield
St. Viator and a potent group of boys swimming and diving teams from the Mid-Suburban East made their mark Saturday with strong performances in the Deerfield sectional.
Glenbrook South edged Glenbrook North in the team battle, followed by Hersey in third at 176, Deerfield (130.5), Rolling Meadows (130) and Prospect (127).
St. Viator tied Prospect for that No. 6 team spot thanks to a few No. 1 placements.
Senior Michael Balcerak won the 200-yard free in 1:37.62 and the 100 fly in 48.58.
He also delivered a split of 20.09 to help key the winning 200 free relay with Marcus Lannie, Tyler Coupe and Michael Ruben.
Ruben, a junior, earned his first individual state spot by placing third in the 200 IM (1:57.20), and Lannie also advanced in the 50 free (21.58).
Hersey's effort was keyed by senior Michael Petro, who broke his own school record by winning in 1:49.78. Petro was also second in the 100 fly (49.50) and contributed a 45.55 anchor split on the state-qualifying 400 free relay with Gavin Hill, Jack Blumenfeld and Ethan Marunde (3:12.20).
Huskies junior Nick Nocita won going away in diving with a score of 517.75, breaking the school record by a wide margin. Hill, a sophomore, will also compete individually at state after placing fourth in the 50 free in 21.79.
Hersey coach Dick Mortensen said the highlight of the day was the 400 free relay.
"I think everybody was just gaining confidence for us, throughout the day," he said. "By the time we got to Michael for the anchor, I think we knew had it."
Rolling Meadows senior Josh Dellorto won the 50 free (21.34) and also advanced with a second-place finish in the 100 free (46.32). Joining him at state on the 200 medley relay will be Jake Pors, Lukas Slifierz and Nate Pardini (1:36.63). The same foursome was a near-miss to state in the 400 free relay after a season-best 3:13.58.
Wheeling senior Nick Konstantos earned a second straight state meet trip by winning the 100 breaststroke in a lifetime-best 57.55. Prospect senior Jake Kosinski also made state for a third straight year in the same event after finishing fifth in 59.28.
Elk Grove got lifetime bests in the 100 free from senior Mike Kulpa (48.33) and Adrian Wlodarz (48.85) along with big time drops in all three relays. Grens senior Jack Falejczyk will compete in four races at the state meet against athletes with disabilities.