Rosary's Scott sets pace in prelims

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For someone who feels more energetic swimming on the final day of the state meet, Olivia Scott sure had plenty of fuel in her gas tank during Friday’s preliminary round at New Trier.

The Rosary senior had the top time in both of her individual events and is within striking distance of the state record in each race after recording personal best times. Scott’s 53.23 in the 100-yard butterfly is just .12 off Mary DeScenza’s state record and her clocking of 2:02.51 in the 200 individual medley was over two seconds better than her nearest competition. The record is 2:00.67.

“I was really surprised with my times for both of them because I’m not [usually] swimming so fast in prelims,” Scott said. “I’m just hoping that I’ll do even better tomorrow. I like swimming in the finals better because I feel like there’s a lot more energy in everything, so I think that tomorrow will be really good. I’ll just go home and get a lot of rest.”

As good as Scott’s performance was, Rosary coach Bill Schalz thinks there is room for improvement, even though historically most state records are set during prelims.

“Those were her two best prelims swims ever,” Schalz said. “Actually, I didn’t think her fly looked that good in the beginning, but the second half was. She tends to step up in finals and race a little bit stronger. We’ll see if she’s got it tomorrow.”

Another swimmer gunning for a state record is Barrington senior Emily Fogle, the defending champion in the 100 breaststroke. Fogle turned in a personal best 1:02.27, just off the record of 1:01.83 set by Stevenson’s Ashley Wanland in 2007.

“I’m more excited about it now,” Fogle said. “I’m just a little bit off and I want it really bad. I just have to hold on tomorrow, work my walls a little bit better, get into them a little bit quicker.”

Rosary is in good position to win its fourth straight team title. The Beads have six individuals and all three relays qualified for Saturday’s championship heats. Evanston has five individuals and two relays and New Trier two individuals and three relays with shots at wining titles.

Fenwick senior Kelly Ryan is the top seed in the 100 backstroke (55.99) and Deerfield sophomore Erin Purdy leads the diving competition with 326.50 points.