Van Oost, Venlos, Kalenda qualify

Even though she doesn't have a school team to compete for, Burlington Central junior Alex Van Oost has had the kind of swim career that many would wish for.

And Saturday, Van Oost showed again how talented she is in water, qualifying for the IHSA state meet in the 200-yard individual medley and 100 backstroke. Van Oost's performances came at the St. Charles East sectional, the one day in which swimmers attempt to swim faster than the state's qualifying standards and earn a spot in the state field for next weekend's meet at New Trier.

"My times have improved each year," Van Oost said. "I'm still really nervous when I go."

Van Oost's qualification means the junior has qualified for the state meet three straight years.

Central does not have a swim team and Van Oost swims for the Academy Bullets, the team for which many of defending state champion Rosary's swimmers compete.

"I haven't rested for this meet," Van Oost said. "I'll be resting for nationals, which are the last week of November."

Despite not being rested for the sectional, Van Oost said she enjoyed the opportunity to pull on a "CHS" swim cap and represent her school, even if the response from the school isn't as widespread as it is in some schools.

"There were some kids from school who came," Van Oost said. "They congratulate you and put it in the announcements."

Van Oost's hopes for next weekend's state meet at New Trier could give Central fans plenty to talk about.

"I want to qualify for finals in, hopefully, both of my events," Van Oost said.

For St. Edward sophomore Megan Venlos, Saturday's meet was an exercise in familiarity. She swims for the St. Charles Swim Club and trains part of the year at the East pool.

"I love this pool," Venlos said. "It's not a bad thing. It helps."

Venlos qualified for the state meet in the 200 freestyle but missed the state cut in the 500 freestyle.

"It didn't go too badly," Venlos said. "I felt I could have done better, especially in the (500.) But I'm happy I made it one thing."

St. Edward, like Central, does not have a swim team meaning Venlos' high school season started Saturday and ends next week in New Trier.

"Sometimes it seems like it would be fun to swim high school," Venlos said. "But I love club and I love the people. They are such a big influence and I couldn't have done this without them."

Venlos barely qualified in the 200 freestyle last year.

"I made it this year with a better time and I really felt I could make it in the 500," Venlos said.

With a year's experience on deck at the state meet, Venlos said she has new ambitions when Friday's preliminaries begin.

"Last year was a learning experience," Venlos said. "This year, I'm looking to make finals and place in the 200, because I really think I can do it."

Cary-Grove will be represented at the state meet by junior Kim Kalenda, who bettered the state standard in the 100 freestyle.

"I actually felt really great in the swim," Kalenda said. "I felt like I was flying through the water. When I saw the time, I was excited."

Kalenda failed to qualify in the 50 freestyle but rebounded to be her team's only representative at the state meet.

"Everybody was cheering me up and getting me pumped up for my next race," Kalenda said.

Kalenda and her teammates rested for the sectional meet on the heels of a season of difficult workouts.

"They decided to give us a long taper, so we were extremely rested," Kalenda said. "I should be able to hold (the taper.)"