Boys swimming and diving: Stevenson savors its first state championship
Stevenson senior Josh Song sang the praises of a teammate after Saturday's boys swimming and diving state meet in Westmont.
But the Patriot warbled quietly while standing poolside at FMC Natatorium, matching sophomore Colin Zhang's understated demeanor.
"He's something," Song, in awe, said of Zhang, who won the 100-yard breaststroke (54.79), swam on a pair of victorious relays (200 medley, 200 freestyle) and silvered in the 200 IM (1:49.4) as Stevenson captured its first state championship in program history.
"Colin," Song added, "is dedicated and such a team player."
Team Stevenson - undefeated in duals and at weekend events in the 2021-2022 season - dominated in the water and off the boards again on Saturday, amassing 167 points behind 12 top-12 finishes. Runner-up Hinsdale Central scored 117.5 points, and third-place Lyons totaled 99 points.
Patriots coach Doug Lillydahl had coached teams to state runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2004.
"We put the pieces together this year," a grateful and drenched Lillydahl said after joining his champs for a celebratory dip. "Competing during a pandemic isn't an ideal laboratory for developing the necessary systems and culture. But we did that, and our guys' collective talent and strong mindset came through for us today.
"Colin Zhang," he added, "is a fiery competitor, though you don't see it. If he ever gets pushed, or beaten, that wells up inside of him and causes him to be better the next day."
Zhang swam the breast leg of the medley relay (1:29.93), joining Song (butterfly) and juniors Michael Wywrocki (backstroke) and David Kohan (anchor). Kohan, junior Jack Curtin, Zhang and senior Brandon Xiong combined for a triumphant 1:23.44 in the 200 free relay.
Patriots senior and Northwestern-bound diver Jack White plunged to a second-place showing (533.1 points), eight spots ahead of junior teammate Danny Silverstein (451.65). White now owns program marks for best state finish and best 11- and 6-dive performances.
His final dive Saturday - reverse 1.5 somersaults and 2.5 twists, with a 3.0 degree of difficulty - thrilled spectators and earned 67 points from the judges.
"Fierce competitor," Patriots diving coach Amy Inselberger said. "Jack and Danny challenge each other but also help each other. It was fun to coach both of them."
Denison University recruit Song touched fourth in the 100 fly (48.47) and helped the 400 free relay collect silver (3:04.69, with Kohan, Xiong and Curtin). Wywrocki added a sixth-place effort in the 200 IM (1:52.27) and a 10th-place 50.59 in the 100 back. Kohan and Xiong placed seventh (20.7) and 11th (21.14)) in the 50 free, respectively.
"We watched how hard the swimmers worked all season," Inselberger said near the end of the meet. "And the swimmers noticed our divers' commitment. Look at what we're doing, as a full team, today. They're making all of their coaches proud."
Mundelein senior and Indiana University-Purdue University recruit Omar Fathallah lauded his coaches - Mustangs helmsman Rahul Sethna and Patriot Aquatic Club coach Kevin Zakrzewski - after taking third in the 100 free (44.93).
"I owe this to them," Fathallah, sporting his bronze medal, said. "I was going for the gold. That would have been nice, taking one of those medals home. I wasn't nervous as I raced, and I wasn't concerned about dealing with adrenaline. I got to a blank space by emptying my head."
Fathallah's future roommate at IUPUI? None other than Warren senior Blake Vander-Jeugdt, who placed fourth in diving (511.85) Saturday after sitting in fifth place (347.6) following Friday's prelims. Vander-Jeugdt limped to the sport of diving midway through his freshman year after incurring knee injuries in gymnastics.
The Blue Devils' major boys diving records - place at state, 11 dives (555.7) and 6 dives (342.75) - belong to Vander-Jeugdt.
"I saw myself qualifying for state at the beginning of the season," the future bioengineering major said. "But I did not see myself making it to finals."
He proved that he deserved to be among Illinois' elite, wowing folks with a reverse-2.5 (DD: 3.0) in his penultimate dive.
Libertyville junior Ethan Paul placed 11th in diving (422.05).
Mundelein senior Michael Romero clocked a 50.55 to finish 11th in the 100 fly and - like Fathallah - swam on all three of the Mustangs' 12th-place relays (200 medley, 200 free, 400 free). Aaron Anastos, Cameron Gilbert, Matthew Willis and Edwin Serrano also completed relay legs for the Mustangs, who tied for 25th place (20 points) with Reavis and Plainfield North (co-op) in the team standings.
But it was Patriots' Day in Westmont all day Saturday. Lillydahl's crew led Lyons 32-26 after one event, led Hinsdale Central 79-44.5 after five events and led HC 122-80.5 after nine events.
Zhang's championship swim in the 100 breast widened the advantage to 141-93.5 with one event remaining.
"We practiced hard," the soft-spoken Zhang said of what made the Pats formidable this winter. "We also stayed focused."
Added Lillydahl: "What makes winning state even more gratifying is knowing that if you're a top-12 swimmer or diver, in such a competitive state like Illinois, you're going to swim or dive in college."