Boys swimming: Prospect a solid third at Buffalo Grove Invite
The heavy snow from Friday night's storm wasn't a deterrent as boys swimming teams came together at the Buffalo Grove Invitational Saturday to put their season of intense training to the test.
Finishing in first place was Highland Park with a final score of 300, with Cary-Grove (291) second and Prospect (202) third.
Mundelein took fourth place with 183, followed by Niles West, West Chicago/Batavia co-Op Buffalo Grove, Lake Park, West Aurora, Fenton, Rolling Meadows, St. Viator, St. Patrick, Glenbard North/East co-Op, and Wheeling.
Buffalo Grove's Daniel Verdico made a splash in both his 200 and 500-yard freestyles. Verdico placed second overall in his 200 free, swimming an impressive time of 1:48.44. Verdico would then also place second in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:54.58.
"I've been feeling great in all my swims," said Verdico." I've consistently been below five minutes in my 500 free and I am in a great place for varsity conference and sectionals."
Prospect's stellar lineup certainly shined at this invitational, showing a promising championship season ahead for the Knights.
Prospect's Kevin Soltys and Andrew Tonkovic were integral to the success of the team overall Saturday. Soltys placed 10th in the 100-yard butterfly (56.43) and fourth in the 100 yard backstroke (54.04), while Tonkovic placed fifth in the 500-yard free (5:05.32).
Also leaving an impression was Prospect freshman Tim Hays, who had phenomenal swims in his 200-yard I.M. and 100 back. Hays would win the 200 I.M. with a time of 1:58.69 and would go on to place third in the 100-yard back (53.73).
"This is some of the best racing we've had all year," said a proud Prospect coach Alfonso Lopez. "As we move towards the championship season it will be important to keep the confidence high and tweak the little things at practice."
Rolling Meadows, Wheeling, and St. Viator also had plenty of successful swims Saturday.
Meadows' Jacob Hardt, Lukas Slifierz, and Sam Keeley had great swims in the 200-yard I.M. (2:09.50), 100-yard fly (57.00), and 100-yard breaststroke, respectively and are in good positions as they begin to taper for the championship meets.
Wheeling freshman Mason Hergert placed seventh in the 500 (5:12.55) and could be a contender at this year's Mid-Suburban League meet.
St. Viator had great representation in the top heats from Michael Ruben in the 200-yard I.M. (2:02.51) and 100-yard freestyle (49.64).
On the diving board, Prospect's Jack Epperson would claim first with a score of 392.35, while Buffalo Grove's Ben Goldberg (367.80) was second.
Other meet highlights included Lake Park's Benjamin Kimmel breaking the pool record in the 100-yard butterfly, beating the old record of 52.58 and replacing it with a time of 51.18.