Monroe heads to state, Rowland guns for title

Northside College Prep's Alexa Chavez competes in the 200 yard freestyle at the Evanston Sectional last Saturday.
(Dan Luedert/Staff Photographer)

November 16, 2007 By ROB VALENTIN Sports Editor

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Lane Tech's Morgan Monroe was focused on not being focused at last Saturday's Fenwick Sectional.

The senior swimmer was the Chicago Public Schools best chance at having a representative at this weekend's state meet, but that's a lot of pressure for a high schooler to have on her shoulders.

"I was trying to have a different mindset than last year because last year I was stressing out," Monroe said. "I kept thinking I have to make state because I made it as a sophomore. This year I wasn't going to do that."

Monroe used a little bit of technology to help calm herself.

"I put on my iPod and just relaxed," she said. "Whatever happens, happens. I try to clear my mind but the one thing that goes through my head is 'Here we go.'"

When it was go time, Monroe was fabulous capturing second place in both the 50-yard freestyle (24.6) and the 100 freestyle (53.74).

Her times were well ahead of the state cut and she'll be the only CPS swimmer competing in state at New Trier on Friday.

"I didn't know I was going to go that fast," Monroe said. "My PR for (the 50) this year was in a relay start and that was 25. We've been tapering all week. I did feel strong at the end of the race. I could have done another 25."

After making it to state in the 50, it was a little easier to just relax and swim in the 100.

"I felt pretty good during that but the last 25 was hard for me," Monroe said. "I can't really help but look next to me. I saw (Fenwick's Stephanie Ovalle, 1st, 53.06) and just thought 'I have to go, she's right there.'"

Being the only CPS representative at state is special, especially given the disadvantages she's had to overcome.

"It means a lot to me because a lot of the city schools don't have the best facilities like the suburban schools," Monroe said. "Not many city kids will ever see the inside of the pool at state. Now I can come back and share that experience."

Teammate Jill Schmucker was hoping to join Monroe at state but things didn't go as planned for the senior in the 100 backstroke. At city she swam under state cut time but last Saturday she finished third with a time of 1:01.81. The state cut was 1:00.82.

"I think my nerves got to me," Schmucker said. "I know I did it before so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. It's still devastating."

Usah Sontep was another standout for the Indians last Saturday, as the sophomore took third in the 500 free (5:26.07) and fifth in the 200 free (2:02.98).

"I was really nervous because in the 200 free I was close," Sontep said. "My turns were the problem in the 500."

Rowland eyes title

While Monroe is the only CPS swimmer competing at state, she isn't the only city girl who will be in action.

Loyola's Lisi Rowland (Rogers Park) is looking to go out on top by winning a diving championship. Rowland finished third place at state her freshman and junior year and won the state title as a sophomore. She easily captured the title at the Evanston sectional last Saturday with a score of 469.55.

"To be honest, we haven't talked about (winning state) at all," Loyola head coach Dennis Stonequist said. "I think it's understood she wants to win a state championship."

Rowland is a clutch performer and Stonequist knows the pressure won't be a problem.

"It's nice to see someone who's so committed to that goal," Stonequist said. "The more pressure the better for her. That's the way it seems to be. I like to see her put a little pressure on herself."

Teammate Kelsey Stranc (Andersonville) will be swimming with Loyola's 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay teams as the Ramblers look to bring home a team trophy.

"We have some talent on this team," Stonequist said. "To see the way the kids step up all around it. It's not just one or two people stepping up."

Mustangs close

Northside College Prep has an extremely young team but they proved they're going to be a force to be reckoned with after taking fifth place at the Evanston Sectional.

Sophomore Monica Pinkus just missed qualifying for state in the 100 breaststroke after swimming a 1:09.45 for third place. Freshman teammate Mary Mussman took fifth in the event (1:11.11).

Freshman Alexa Chavez didn't have her best day but she took sixth in the 100 backstroke (1:02.21) and fifth in the 200 free (2:02.41). The youngsters did pretty well handling their nerves in the season's most important meet.

"This was Monica's second time swimming at sectionals so it wasn't as bad for her," Northside head coach Carlos Ceja said. "Alexa is tough because she's been in big competitions but she was nervous. She didn't get her best times."

Senior Megan Grant had a spectacular day dropping two seconds off her best time in the 100 butterfly. Grant took fifth place in a time of 1:03.84.