Girls swimming and diving: Northwest suburbs athletes have a stellar Friday
Barrington junior Alyssa Schwengel said that she was going to make sure a few butterflies didn't get the better of her on day one of the girls swimming state finals Friday at New Trier.
"I tried to control my nerves and turn it all into excitement," said Schwengel. "I used that nervousness for adrenaline and just went out and raced."
That focus paid off for the junior in the prelims as Schwengel placed in the top 12 in the 50 free, in the time of 23.78, to advance to Saturday's final day of the meet in Winnetka.
"I just need to go out and go fast tomorrow," said Schwengel. "I've got nothing to lose."
Northwest suburbs' competitors excelled Friday in the 500 free as Annika Wagner of Maine South (4:51.95), Jane Smith from Palatine (4:52.01), Maggie Graves of Barrington (4:52.23) and Lilian Reader of the Fillies (4:54.41) finished second, third, fourth and sixth respectively in the event.
They'll all be in the running for a title Saturday.
"I love the atmosphere here," said Smith, a senior, of the loud, boisterous, pressure-packed ambience at the New Trier pool. "I'm able to look up in the stands and see everyone, all my best friends, and I'm so grateful I can't even explain it.
"I'm having a great time just soaking it all in. I'm super stoked. I feel like this is the best meet I've tapered for in a while. It does make me a little sad though knowing that this is my last big (high school) meet, because I've been in such a great program."
Smith will come right back Saturday to compete again in the 500, a grueling two-day stint, but says that she doesn't think it'll be a problem.
"As long as you get your rest, and fuel your body right, it's very doable," said the senior." I hope to come back strong."
The 500 free competitors weren't the only Northwest suburbs swimmers who excelled Friday.
The Barrington 400 free relay team (Emily Bucaro, Reader, Lauren Holman and Schwengel) excelled to advance to the final day, as did Hersey freshman Maggie Papanicholas (1:03.10) in the 100 breaststroke
In the 100 backstroke, Maine West freshman Michelle Kaner put forth a strong effort in the time of 56.07 to qualify for Saturday, and she'll be joined by Schaumburg sophomore Madison Dohrn (56.43).
Fillies Lucy Ordway and Anna Mae King moved on in the 1-meter dive, as did Palatine diver Anais Gonzalez Posso, while Nina Mollin of Schaumburg positioned herself for a great medal run in the 200 IM by finishing second overall at 2:03.30.
In the 200 free it was Wagner (1:47.74), Smith (1:50.76 and Bucaro (1:51.62) all posting qualifying times.
Megumi Komoto of Conant, a junior, finished just outside the top 12 in the 100 fly, and said the experience will give her a boost in next year's senior season.
"It was pretty intense, but it was a lot of fun," said Komoto. "I think I met my expectations, both today and throughout the season, and I can carry that over into next year."