Boys Swimming: Notre Dame pleased with performance at sectional
BY MATT HARNESS mharness@pioneerlocal.com February 20, 2012 4:20PM
2/18/12 Northbrook Glenbrook North High School hosted the IHSA Boys Sectional Swim meet on 2/18. Notre Dame's Kyle Collins during the 200 yard freestyle event. | Tamara Bell~Sun Times Media
Updated: March 24, 2012 8:32AM
Ricky Espinosa wasn’t about to judge his swimmers against a strong field at the Glenbrook North Sectional on Saturday.
The Notre Dame coach wanted the Dons to race each other, and he’s already noticed a big improvement compared to last season’s state series.
“A dramatic difference,” said Espinosa, who brought only eight team members, including two seniors, to the Spartans’ pool. “These boys have surpassed their own expectations — and mine. Of course, we want to go out and win. But we mostly race against the clock.”
No Dons qualified for the state meet, but two of the three relays, as well as and two individuals, set season-best times.
The 200-yard medley relay (Eric Collins, Khalik Haddad, Elijah Mendez and Anthony Marzano) finished in 1:58.94, nearly four seconds faster than its seed time.
The 400 relay of Kyle Collins, James Zegler, Brian Kukla and Mendez clocked 4:05.49, nearly a nine-second drop.
Kyle Collins and Marzano also bettered their times in individual events. Collins completed the 500 free in 6:05.98, while Marzano touched in the 50 free in 24.62.
Notre Dame will lose both Marzano and Haddad to graduation, but Espinosa sees good things to come.
Mendez was one of two sophomores competing at the sectional.
“He’s someone who has a lot of potential,” the coach said. “I can only imagine what he’s capable of doing in the next two years. All the guys give it all they got. They’ve come a long way.”
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