Boys swimming and diving: Mundelein dominates Vernon Hills' Cougar Classic

It was only fitting that Phil Pardun handed out medals after each race.

After all, Vernon Hills' Cougar Classic invite was named after him when the school opened its doors for freshmen in 1999 and then for all grades in 2000.

"Lots of great memories here and a great school to coach at," said Pardun, who coached the boys from 2000-05 and boasted a collection of state qualifiers and winning seasons.

In fact, look at Vernon Hills' board and a couple of pool records still stand from his coaching days.

"It's great to see but now I feel real old," Pardun said with a chuckle. "We had a lot of kids who never swam before come out. The learning curve was pretty high, but talent took care of itself."

Pardun's son, Vernon Hills aquatics director Jim, is the boys' first-year coach and served as his dad's boss.

"Dad was the first coach here and created everything," Jim Pardun said.

Mundelein pulled away to win Saturday's Phil Pardun Cougar Classic invite. The Mustangs totaled 247 points to outdistance Libertyville (165), host Vernon Hills (163) and McHenry (72).

The meet featured a different format with three flighted heats for each event. Medals were awarded to the top-4 in each.

"It's nice because everyone matters and gets a chance to score points," Libertyville coach Amanda Pechauer said. "I love it. It's good (this format) for every level. We had a good break and are looking forward to the heart of the season and seeing what we can do."

Libertyville's Issac Paul won the 1-meter diving faster heat with 337.35 points, while Jake Hughes won the fastest diving heat with 286.85 points. Mundelein won the next three relays to take early command of the meet.

Multiple event individual winners for the Mustangs included a bevy of swimmers. Omar Fathallah won the fastest heat in both the 100 freestyle (48.65) and 50 free (22.06). Aaron Anastos was victorious in the 200 free fastest heat (1:52.23) and 500 free fastest heat (5:07.67).

"The guys worked and trained really hard over break and we're interested to see how we perform the second part of the season," Mundelein coach Rahul Sethna said. "It's nice to have this meet right after break so we can see how well our practicing has gone."

Mundelein's Timmy McInerney won the 200 free fast heat in 2:02.59 and the 500 free fast heat (5:27.24). Parker Geary won the 50 frees faster heat (23.30) and 100 backstroke faster heat (56.95).

The Mustangs' other winners included Cale Sethna (100 breaststroke faster heat, 1:06.81, 500 free fast heat, 23.64); Michael Romero (200 IM fastest heat, 2:05.14, 100 breaststroke fastest heat, 1:03.38); Chris Hill (200 free faster heat, 1:59.12, 500 free faster heat, 5:20.75); Cameron Gilbert (200 IM fastest heat, 2:14.39, 100 backstroke fast heat, 58.78); Jack Long (100 backstroke fastest heat, 54.60, 100 free faster heat 50.24); Edwin Serrano (100 free fast heat, 55.49), Danny Oleinik (200 IM faster heat, 2:13.79); and Richard Kudrya (100 butterfly fast heat, 1:00.28).

Libertyville's Andrew Yan won the 100 butterfly faster heat (57.91), while his teammate Lawrence Wang captured the 100 butterfly fastest heat (53.21). Wang also joined William Gordon, Yan and Mark Plunkett in taking second in the 200 medley relay fastest heat (1:42.71). Wang was also second in the 100 backstroke fastest heat (56.54).

Libertyville's 200 freestyle of Andrew Yan, Andrew Bacilek, Mitchell Madland and William Gordon took second in the fastest heat (1:38.66).

JaeJin Lee did host Vernon Hills proud by winning the 100 breaststroke fast heat (1:10.45), while Brian Li was second in the 100 breaststroke faster heat (1:07.73). Lee was also second in the 100 freestyle faster heat (55.09).

The Cougars' 200 medley relay of Andrew Tikhonov, Jacob Schifrin, Daniel Karpov and Lee won the faster heat in 1:51.44. Tyler Schuldt, Tikhonov, Lee and Schifrin were second in the 400 freestyle relay faster heat (3:47.45).

Karpov was also second in the 100 freestyle fast heat (58.15), while Devin Mulcrone took second in the 100 butterfly fast heat (1:09.66). Schifrin also took second in both the 200 freestyle fast heat (2:04.08) and 100 breaststroke fastest heat (1:06.63), while Evan Zurow was second in the 50 free fast heat (24.16).

"Every athlete deserves his or her moment in the spotlight, and the format today allowed for the kids to do that," Jim Pardun said. "I was really proud of our effort. The guys stepped up and accepted a real ambitious challenge."