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Boys swimming: A finishing flurry fires up Fremd

A challenging weather weekend couldn't stop the energy brewing for this year's Mid-Suburban League boys swimming and diving meet at Prospect.

From the get-go Fremd, Barrington, and Hersey fought for control of the top spots, while underdog Rolling Meadows put up an impressive display that left a lasting impression on the conference.

After a difficult first half of the meet, Fremd gained some big back-half momentum with consecutive victories in the 200-yard free relay, the 100 backstroke and the 100 breaststroke.

That surge was just enough, as Fremd took top honors with 242 points, just ahead Barrington (223). MSL East champ Hersey (154.5) edged out Rolling Meadows (153.5), followed by the host Knights (145) and Conant (109).

"This meet was a team effort," said Fremd coach Kristen Newby. "We had a little change in the lineup, but the boys really stepped up to win it."

The morning diving session produced results consistent with seeding, along with great sportsmanship and camaraderie among the competitors.

Fremd senior Zach Mega got his team headed in the right direction with a winning score of 442.90, just ahead of Hersey junior Nick Nocita (423.30). Both Mega and his coach, Donna O'Brien, liked the results.

"I'm very pleased with how my boys dove," O'Brien said. "Now it is just keeping up this consistency."

By contrast, the swimming results were much more unpredictable.

The 200 medley relay set the tone. Hersey and Rolling Meadows got out to great starts in the backstroke leg, but in the end it was Barrington freestyler Sam Burrell out-touching Fremd in a pool-record 1:38.05.

"The first race is over, and the boys can settle down," Broncos coach John Valentine said. "They posted a great time, which brings everybody up."

Swimmers are generally aiming for peak performances at next week's sectional meets, but that didn't stop a parade of pool and meet records.

The Broncos followed up their medley win with Jack Hoppe securing a victory in the 200 freestyle in 1:48 flat.

"I haven't been in that range since December," Hoppe said excitedly. "I'm tired, but I'm just going to go kill it."

Hoppe later took third in the 100 breaststroke and had a leg on the third-place 400 free relay.

Key to Hersey's day was senior Michael Petro and his impressive wins in the 200 IM (in a pool-record 1:55.46) and in the 100 butterfly (51.97, just ahead of Conant's Justin Lim in 51.99).

After the IM, Petro said, "the last 50 really hurt, but I'm happy with the time."

Hersey coach Dick Mortensen liked the way his team harnessed its emotions.

"The boys are excited," he said. "It's all about having a good attitude. It can be what makes or breaks an athlete as we move toward sectionals."

Rolling Meadows senior Josh Dellorto left a lasting impression on the audience, setting a pool record in the 50 freestyle in a blink-or-you'll-miss-it time 21.52 and later trumping that effort by breaking a 13-year-old conference record in the 100 freestyle in 46.49.

"I've really worked my turns a lot this season. They really are a difference-maker," said Dellorto, "and what a difference they've made."

Dellorto was also key to the success of the Mustangs' medley and 400-yard freestyle relays.

On the 400, Dellorto provided an anchor split of 45.74 to help Jake Pors, Nate Pardini, Lukas Slifierz to victory in a pool-record 3:17.86.

"I'm very lucky," said Rolling Meadows coach Monika Chiappetta of her time guiding Dellorto. "He is a gift to coach, and the two of us really work well together. It's great to see his career coming together.

"The guys really stepped up," Chiappetta said. "The boys like to be the underdogs. They really do like to race where it counts."

Fremd's attention to detail was a big plus, especially down the stretch. The 200 free relay of Yoochan Lee, Alex Reed, Derek Warnstedt and Danny Konishi set a pool record in 1:28.70, and the Vikings steadily improved upon their seeds throughout the meet.

"What really matters are those little places," said Newby, whose team repeated as both MSL West and over conference champs. "We knew what it was going to take to win this meet."

Fremd freshman Evan Stegall won the 100 back in 55.12. And after senior co-captain Alex Schillinger's edged Prospect's Jake Kosinski in the 100 breaststroke in 1:00.55 (another pool record), victory was well in hand for the Vikings.

"We needed to really snag those top spots," said Stegall. "I just did my part to help us secure the win and went for it."

Schaumburg senior Tyler Reynolds, who'd earlier finished second in the 200 free, provided a thrilling finish in the 500 free, pulling away from a crowded heat for a first victory in his final individual swim in an MSL meet.

"At around lap number 12, I wanted to win," Reynolds said.

"Tyler looked relaxed and very strong," said Schaumburg coach Tim O'Grady. "He believed he could win, and he went for it."

As usual, the conference meet provided a great format for both competitive rivalries and friendships.

Schillinger said it brought out the best in him, especially in the moments just before the 100 breaststroke.

"I saw Jack Hoppe and I saw Jake Kosinski, so it added so much more fire to the race," he said. "I've loved growing up and competing with these guys. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Niles North stops Prospect's streak

  Hersey senior Michael Petro swims the breaststroke portion of the 200-yard IM during the Mid-Suburban League meet at Prospect High School on Saturday. Petro broke his own pool record, winning in 1:55.46. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Barrington sophomore Jack Hoppe heads for victory in the 200-yard freestyle during the Mid-Suburban League meet at Prospect High School on Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Fremd's Yoochan Lee swims the 100-yard butterfly during the Mid-Suburban League meet at Prospect High School on Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Buffalo Grove's Daniel Verdico races in the 200-yard freestyle during the Mid-Suburban League meet at Prospect High School on Saturday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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