Marmion swimmers: Trophy within reach

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The Marmion swimmers have no doubt in their minds that the team's goal of a trophy at this weekend's IHSA boys swimming and diving state meet at New Trier High School is attainable.

The Cadets have at least one qualifier in each of the 11 swimming events, including all three relays. Seeded seventh in the 200-yard medley relay, eighth in the 400-yard freestyle and 11th in the 200-yard freestyle, the Cadets relay squads feel they can medal.

"Definitely," senior Thomas Delves answered when asked if the relays can improve their times.

"A lot," added Matt Lifka, a senior who is on all three relays.

"Our best is yet to come," chimed in senior Tyler Capen.

The Cadets are a confident bunch, and that should help them in an environment where even the calmest of athletes can crack. The noise reaches a level such that you can't hear yourself scream, but that is just what the swimmers hear -- noise.

Junior Matt Pircon joins Lifka and Delves in the three relay events while senior Austin Cox is on the 200 and 400-yard freestyle. Capen swims on the 200-yard medley team.

"It really changes the mood, it gets the adrenaline pumping," Pircon said of the state finals atmosphere. "It's a great time to race."

"It's hard core," Cox added.

"I like how it's so crazy and so loud, then when the whistle blows it's so silent you can hear a pin drop," Capen said.

Delves will also compete in the 100-yard freestyle while Pircon will race in the 50-yard freestyle. Lifka will compete in the 100-yard breaststoke and Cox is also in four events, swimming in the 100-yard backstroke and the 200-yard freestyle.

Sophomores Ben Kanute and Andy Healy qualified in two events each. Kanute will swim the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle, and Healy is competing in the 200 IM and the 100-yard butterfly.

Capen is seeded fifth in the 200 IM and fourth in the 100-yard backstroke.

Senior Will Butzke also qualified in the 100-yard butterfly. The Cadets have the sixth most qualifiers in the state and will be able to sit together on the deck. Marmion coach Bill Schalz sees the upside.

"That's a huge advantage," Schalz said. "To get a trophy at a state meet you've got be over a 100 points, maybe even a 110. In order to do that, you need a lot of bodies.

"We don't have that big-time stud swimmer that's going to jump in there and be the top one or two. We are a team with a lot of depth. We have guys that can get in the top six and all our relays can get in the top six. So, through our depth we are going to be in a position, we hope, to bring home a trophy."

Waubonsie Valley seniors Jim Zuponeck and Jack Poletto qualified in two events each and are also on the Warriors two relay teams that qualified.

Zuponeck will compete in the 200 IM and the 100-yard breaststoke, while Poletto will challenge for a medal in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Seniors Tyler Pattison and Adam Kozak round out the 200 medley relay squad, and Gabe Baginski and Micheal DiLeo complete the 200 free.

Batavia senior Albert Roth is the lone Bulldogs swimmer, but he will be among friends Friday. Roth also swims for Schalz's academy team and knows the Cadets swimmers well. He qualified for the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly for the second straight season.

"Once you get behind that block at state, you're nerves get you and you get excited," Roth said. "My goal is top six. I hope to be on the medal stand."

Kaneland sophomore Grant Alef qualified in the 500 free and the 100 backstroke, while Oswego junior Justin Reppy made the 500 free.