Second part of the sectional meet at Neuqua Valley and the Wildcats look to continue their strong performance after their two divers went 1 and 2 earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Benet Academy, Naperville North and Central, Waubonsie and Metea Valley all look to perform well enough to qualify for state next weekend.
200 Yard Freestyle
We start first with the 200 yard freestyle. Halfway through the race and Neuqua’s Rachel Stege all ready showing off her dominance. The junior would tap first in 1:49.27 seconds. Stege would also take home first in the 500 free, breaking the pool record as well. North’s Holly Wessel qualifies in fifth place along with Waubonsie’s Lauren Lee in 7th place, and Centrals Samantha Weigel and Grace Willard.
200 Yard IM
Same distance, just the IM next off the blocks. In the third heat, Neuqua’s Sophie Meng and North’s Amanda Ng are neck and neck halfway through but they both qualify for state. In the fourth heat, Central’s Paige Collins would break the pool record in 2 minutes, four point 55 seconds.
100 Yard Fly
Next off the blocks, the fastest heat of the 100 fly. Metea junior McKenna stone has been down to state two all ready and looks to make it a third time, and that’s exactly what happens as she taps in 54.07 seconds, breaking her own record in the pool too. Central’s Paige Collins and Alexa Puccini also qualify along with Neuqua’s Sophie Meng.
100 Yard Freestyle
Heat four of the 100 yard free off the blocks next with Waubonsie’s Lauren Lee leading the way halfway through the race. She would tap in 5th place overall with a time of 52.12, qualifying her for state. Neuqua’s Tiffanie Ruan and Metea’s Laurel Bludgen are also making the trip. Oswego’s Grace Cooper taps in first in 51.26 seconds. Cooper also won the 50 free.
100 Yard Backstroke
Final race for us tonight is the 100 backstroke, Rosary’s Jessica Geriane taps in first with Neuqua’s Teagan Michalek in second. Benet’s Maura Fitzgerald just makes the state time and is making the trip and her excitement is top notch. North’s Amonth Ng and Claire Jansen also qualify. Top sectional team goes to Oswego East, with Neuqua Valley in second and Rosary in third.
Check out the diving sectional in our Girls Sports Highlights!
