Pliskin helps power Pats

The original plan Thursday called for Stevenson's Michelle Pliskin to swim the 100-yard backstroke.

During the break for diving, the Patriots' coaches realized they would need additional points in the 500 freestyle. Head coach Karl Milkereit told Pliskin she would be swimming the 500, and the senior responded.

Pliskin led late in the race before finally being overtaken by Lake Forest's Rachel Stoehr (5:12.97). Pliskin's time of 5:13.92 was her best of the season and good for second place.

Pliskin, who also was second in the 200 individual medley (2:15.85), helped Stevenson stay unbeaten in North Suburban Conference dual meets. The Patriots ended up with a 102-83 victory over host Lake Forest.

"We wanted to make sure we came into the conference meet with an undefeated record," said Milkereit, whose team hosts Zion-Benton next Thursday.

Pliskin is an experienced swimmer in the 500 freestyle, and the late adjustment did not throw her.

"She had an unbelievable swim," Milkereit said.

Pliskin tweaked her routine prior to the race.

"I tried warming up more," she said. "It was easy to be in the lead and I was kind of surprised. I went with it and hoped to hold on."

Pliskin's personal best in the 200 individual medley did not come as a total surprise.

"I've been working hard on all my strokes," she said. "It's nice to see it pay off."

Pliskin, along with Katherine Moy, Michelle Hannon and Tori Alland, helped the Patriots (3:41:.06) edge Lake Forest (3:14.12) in the 400 freestyle relay.

"We really wanted to win that relay and finish the meet on a happy note," Alland said.

Alland placed first in the 50 freestyle (25.41) and the 100 freestyle (53.85).

"We count on her to win two events," Milkereit said. "She's been consistent all year."

The Patriots were impressive in the 100 breaststroke. Emma VanLieshout (1:10.93) and Katie Li (1:14.78) were first and second, respectively.

This is Li's first season on varsity, and she continues to improve.

"She's been pretty solid," Milkereit said.

Stevenson senior Kerrin Seymour (231 points) easily won the diving competition. Teammate Sam Stenn (189.85) was second.

Seymour will use more challenging dives at the conference meet, but that was not the goal Thursday.

"I worked on my basic dives," she said. "I was consistent."