Boys Swimming: Naperville Central eyeing state

Updated: February 7, 2012 7:43PM

As he starts the countdown for the state swimming meet, Naperville Central’s Nate Weeks is not thinking about winning races or achieving record times. His goal is just to leave the state meet satisfied with his performance.

“I want to be a better racer than I was last year,” said the Naperville Central senior who finished fifth in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 butterfly last year. “Last year I was intimidated by the atmosphere of state and by the idea of going against the top swimmers. And when the meet was over I wasn’t satisfied. This year I’m more confident because I’ve been cranking it out in practice.”

Weeks said that he and teammates such as Sean Lehane, Noah Wood and Connor Lamb have been working in practice as they never have before.

“At Naperville Central we’re all about the end of the year,” said Weeks. “So we’ve been tackling every challenge day by day, handling harder and harder sets. When it comes together we’ll be there. We want to make the end of the year spectacular.”

As of this writing, Naperville Central coach Mike Adams was still not sure which events the versatile Weeks will swim, but that his two events from last year are still in the mix.

“Nate can swim any of three or four events at state, plus some relays,” Adams said. “We’re still deciding where everyone can do his best. Nate is training well. He’s always been good but this year he’s better and he is a leader who keeps everyone loose at practice.”

Though Alan Cartwright didn’t start the season on the Neuqua Valley varsity, the junior sprinter has forced his way into the sectional lineup in both individual events and possibly the freestyle relays.

“Alan has really started believing in himself this year,” said Neuqua Valley coach Chad Allen. “He’s starting to see he’s good at the sport and he’s making improvements in practice. Our seniors are encouraging him because they see that he’s someone who’ll make a big difference at the end of this year, and especially for next year.”

Allen said that Cartwright has good speed and power, and he’s proved to be a good closer in relays, especially as an anchor.

“He gets better in the last 10 or 15 yards in the race,” said Allen. “He can go forever without taking a breath.”

The coach is working with Cartwright on breakouts and turns in order to help him improve his times in the next few weeks.

Cartwright, who is tapering for sectionals, is expected to swim both the 50 and the 100 free and he “has a good shot at both free relays.”

The two returning state qualifiers on the Wildcats roster are both looking forward to qualifying and possibly scoring in their individual events.

Senior Robert Vechiola is confident that he can make state in both the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke, and junior Jerry Wu is looking to return in the 100 butterfly.

Both are also expected to be members of the 200 medley relay team, which is also considered a potential finalist.

A lot has been written this year about the “Core 7” of the Naperville North swimming team that has its eyes set on a top-three trophy at state.

But there is a small group of swimmers behind that group who will figure prominently in the Huskies Sectional lineup at Metea Valley next week.

The Huskies entries in the 50 freestyle will be seniors Andrew Dunlop and Chris Dionesotes, a pair of speedy sprinters who have been contributing in the shorter races and the relays all year.

“We had a lot of competition for those spots in the 50,” said Naperville North coach Andy McWhirter. “And as the year went on, it became clear that Andrew and Chris made it to the top. They’re both four-year swimmers and great athletes. They’re both big-strong muscular guys who have that sprinter go-go mentality.”

Dunlop played on the Naperville North football team in the fall, while Dionesotes is a year-round swimmer who has put in a lot of time in the weight room.”

Another senior Dan Large has been equally impressive in securing his spot as one of the two Huskies in the 100 freestyle.

Sophomore Garrett Nash has been dropping time all year in the 100 backstroke and he’s determined to make the state cut.

With the Huskies graduating so many outstanding seniors, Nash is one of the guys who is being counted on to be a star next year in the backstroke and the sprint freestyle races.

Underclassmen Chris Kielma, John Moosemiller and Steve Missak, won’t be on the sectional team, but they will be going to get the state experience as alternates. All three figure to be major players next year. They’re all coming off great performances at last week’s DuPage Valley Conference Meet.

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