Chiero, Conant go the distance against Hoffman Estates
In its dual against visiting Hoffman Estates on Friday night, Conant's Ryan Chiero was a winner in both the longest and shortest races as the Cougars earned a 109-77 victory.
Chiero, a junior, won the 50 free in 23.42 and the 500 free in 5:08.96. He also had legs on the Cougars' winning 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
Conant coach Brian Drenth appreciates Chiero's uncommon competitive range and wanted him to try the 500 at some point this season. Chiero selected the meet against Hoffman Estates as his opportunity, and it worked out well for the Hawks, as Chiero and Hoffman Estates' Brian Brajczewski went stroke for stroke until Chiero pulled away over about the last 75 yards.
"It felt really good," said Chiero, who has also competed at a high level in the 200 IM, 100 free, 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly but says it's hard for him to choose a favorite event. "I think I could improve, but hey, I'll take it."
A Conant sweep in the relays plus individual wins from Victor Lim in the 200 IM (2:16.03), Brett Johnsen in the 100 fly (57.99), Jacob Jeske in the 100 breaststroke (1:06.58) and Nick Rizza in diving (179.15) meant the outcome of the meet was never in much jeopardy. Still, a victory was welcomed in a week that featured final exams, subzero temperatures and more tough training before Friday's meet.
"We've got a good group of kids here," said Drenth, "but we're swimming tired right now."
Hoffman Estates got a 1-2 finish from Alex Jessee and Brajczewski in the 200 free and a 1-2 finish from Jessee and Paul Organ in the 100 backstroke to keep things close.
"I'm happy with the way things are going in practice," said Hoffman Estates coach Josh Schumacher. "We've put in some good work - now I think we just need to have a little more competitiveness."
Barrington d. Schaumburg: Justin Yu, Brian Marko and Eric Clement each had legs on two winning relays and also won individual races to help the host Broncos past the Saxons 109-75.
Marko won the 100 backstroke (54.66), Yu won the 200 IM (2:03.57) and Clement won the 100 free (51.28).
Schaumburg had a winner in senior Aaron Johnson, who was tops in the 100 breaststroke (1:02.67).
Elk Grove d. Wheeling: Carl Sugihara contributed to the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays and also won the 50 free (22.52) and 100 back (58.04) to help the host Grenadiers top the Wildcats 100-84.
Other individual winners for Elk Grove were Dan Burtan (100 fly, 1:03.70), Scott Kemp (100 free, 53.78) and Bart Pienkowski (100 breaststroke, 1:09.34).
Wheeling had a double winner in Tim McDaniel, who won the 200 IM (2:15.36) and the 500 free (5:34.45).
Prospect d. Rolling Meadows: Prospect got a 1-2 finish in the 100 breaststroke from Andrew Bowman (1:07.10) and Tyler Bengtsen (1:07.43) and Charlie Mau won the 200 IM (2:10.44) and the 100 fly (54.80) as the Knights earned a 121-65 triumph. Rolling Meadows got its lone victory from A.J. Adams in the 100 free (51.34).
Fremd d. Palatine: Varun Shivakumar and Jeff Freund both won a pair of races as the visiting Vikings swept all three relays and topped the Pirates 117-69.
Maine West d. Highland Park: Pat Cullen won the 100 fly and Ryan Alderson won the 500 free for Maine West's only individual victories as Highland Park earned a 113-73 victory.