Swimming: Stevenson dominates field at sectional
February 19, 2012 1:18AM
Stevenson's Langston Fitts (left) and Barrington's Jack Strauss congratulate each other after the 100 free at the meet.
Article Extras
Updated: February 22, 2012 12:10PM
A show of power.
Langston Fitts and James Lichtenstein were the individual headliners for Stevenson’s swimming and diving team.
But if you’re the host Patriots, it’s hard to single out anyone.
Stevenson turned in a total team effort in winning Saturday’s sectional championship. They scored 287 points. Barrington was a distant second (185.5 points).
Fitts was on fire. He won the 50 freestyle in 21.19 and the 100 freestyle in 46.23.
Lichtenstein tallied 442.40 points to claim the diving crown. The runner-up was Stevenson freshman Blake Ripes (402.50).
Stevenson’s other wins came in relays. The Patriots won the 200 free in 1:26.12 and the 400 free in 3:12.63.
Saturday’s supporting cast also was stellar. Chris Hodges claimed runner-up honors in the 100 breaststroke (59.54) and was third in the 200 IM (1:55.79), while Ryota Kuwahara was second in the 100 backstroke (52.70) and third in the 200 free (1:44.50).
The other state qualifiers were Patrick Galas in the 200 free (3rd, 1:45.04), Daniel Shtivelberg in the 100 free (5th, 48.07) and Allen Feng in the 100 back (3rd, 53.73).
Meanwhile, Buffalo Grove took fifth in the meet (163.5) behind Cary-Grove (178.5) and Jacobs (169.5).
Like Stevenson, the Bison will send a ton of swimmers to next weekend’s state meet in Evanston.
Ian Rodriquez, a Michigan State recruit, claimed the 100 breaststroke title (59.45). He also took second to Cary-Grove star Michael Hamann in the 200 IM. His time was 1:55.17. Hamann clocked a 1:52.83.
BG’s Jon Mass came through in a big way. He was second in the 50 free (21.49), while he also qualified in the 100 free (3rd, 47.56).
Two Bison divers finished in the top five: Julian Vazquez (3rd, 378.75) and Andrew Cabalfin (5th, 338.85).
BG had two relays qualify: 200 medley (3rd, 1:36.97) and 200 free (2nd, 1:27.17).
The team’s other qualifier was junior Matt Schulstad in the 200 IM (6th, 1:58.48).
Lake Zurich also will be advancing swimmers to Evanston.
Kuba Pelka, a junior, qualified in the 100 butterfly with a third-place finish (52.24), while Kyle McNair was a two-time qualifier: 4th in the 200 IM (1:58.00) and 4th in the 100 backstroke (53.81).
Comments Click here to view or make a comment