North Stars' frosh Chokran churns things up

St. Charles North freshman Angie Chokran said she was mostly concerned with swimming fast and qualifying for the state meet in the 100-yard breaststroke.

And ladies and gentlemen, Chokran more than achieved that goal.

Chokran swam so fast that they're going to have to make some changes on the record board at St. Charles East, site of Saturday's IHSA girls sectional.

Chokran swam 1:04.53, breaking the decade-old pool record of 1:04.89 set by Neuqua Valley's Jessica Wagner in 1998.

"I was really focusing on the cut … the cut, I had to get the cut," Chokran said. "That (record) was a great bonus."

Chokran became the first St. Charles North swimmer to set a pool record in the East pool.

"It makes me proud that I'll be the first St. Charles North swimmer to be on that board," Chokran said. "I never would have expected it."

Chokran is one of a large contingent of North Stars heading to New Trier for this week's state meet Friday and Saturday. She also won the 200 individual medley and was part of two qualifying relays.

The North Stars had every bit the success as did Chokran, winning the meet with 282 points.

St. Charles East was runner-up with 244 points.

"Like (North Stars coach Rob) Rooney said, we had something to smile about," Chokran said. "When we walk out of this meet, we're all smiling. There's no reason for any of us to have low spirits. Everyone got personal bests, and that didn't happen last year."

If Chokran raced to a terrific finish, teammate Taylor Gannon wasn't sure at first whether her 100 butterfly time would be good enough for qualification.

"At first I looked at the lane above me and I thought, 'it's OK, I dropped time and maybe next year, I'll get the cut,' " Gannon said. "Then I realized people were cheering for me really loudly for me. Then I looked again -- at my name this time -- and I got really excited."

The cheering came about because Gannon made the state cut by .01 -- her 1:00.13 time putting her in the state meet by less than the length of a finger nail.

Gannon was part of the North Stars' victorious 200 medley relay, meaning she will swim at least twice in her inaugural state meet. Last year, Gannon rested for the conference meet.

"I was really anticipating coming to this meet," Gannon said. "I was kind of worried I wouldn't be able to come to this meet this year. When I found out, I was really excited."

In addition to all three relays, Chokran's events and Gannon's qualification, St. Charles North will also send Taylor Reynolds to the state meet in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Jessica England qualified in the 500 freestyle and Jessica Clay was a 100 breaststroke qualifier.

Caitlin Dauw was smiling at the end of the meet, and her pleasure came not just because she qualified in her individual events, but because the Saints also qualified their 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

"I was getting really excited," Dauw said. "Everybody was asking me why I was so excited after the 200 free relay, and I said, `we didn't qualify this last year. It was a really great meet."

The relay qualification means Dauw will compete a full four-event program at the state meet. She won the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly, making her a four-event sectional champion.

"I wasn't tapered for this meet," Dauw said. "I hoped to go a little faster in each of my individual events, but I did what I had to do."

The Saints finished second to the North Stars in the team race.

"We had some great swims today and some great drops," Dauw said. "Our relays were just nuts. That was awesome that we won both freestyle relays."

Dauw missed much of the 2007 season with mononucleosis, but she is healthy and swimming with a vengeance this year.

"Kayla (Scott) qualifying for state is awesome," Dauw said. "We're going to go and have some individuals and some relays."

Saints sophomore Scott said she hoped she could get close to state meet qualification. She did better than that, earning a trip to New Trier in the 100 breaststroke. Scott finished second to Chokran but swam faster than the state cut and was one of five state meet qualifiers in the event.

"I went a lot faster than I expected," Scott said. "I felt good in the water."

Scott's has been to the state meet as a spectator, but this year marks her first competitive trip to the meet.

"I'm really excited and I can't wait," Scott said. "I hope I do well. But it's my first time, so it'll be a nice time to get experience."