Post-Tribune swimming notebook

Updated: December 12, 2011 8:16PM

Boys swimming

Trojans passing tests

Chesterton aced its second major test in two weeks, winning the Homestead Invitational over top-ranked Northridge on Saturday a week after taking first in the Hall of Fame Classic at Franklin.

Once again, the Trojans’ talented sophomore class led the way, accounting for five individual titles. Blake Pieroni won the 200-yard individual medley in 1 minutes, 55.08 seconds, took first in the 100 freestyle in 46.26 and was first in the 500 free in 4:42.68.

Ethan Whitaker won the 200 free (1:46.12), his twin brother Aaron was first in the 100 butterfly (50.54) and Jack Wallar won the 100 breaststroke (57.89). The Trojans also won the 200 medley relay with the team of Nick Borzych, Wallar, Aaron Whitaker and Pieroni en route to beating runner-up Northridge 533-514.

P-T Top 5

1. Chesterton, 2. Crown Point, 3. Munster, 4. Portage, 5. Highland

Boys swimmer of the week

Kyle Ruckert, Munster

The senior had four firsts to help the Seahorses beat Valparaiso 106-80 on Thursday. He swept the distance freestyle races and also swam on the winning 200-yard medley and 200 free relay teams.

— By correspondent Mike Clark

Girls swimming

Bearcats looking ahead

Wheeler coach Adam Klimczak knows all too well what lies ahead in the Chesterton Sectional.

Though the hosts, who are vying for their 20th crown and 13th straight, have typically dominated and with Duneland Conference rivals rounding out the top three, Klimczak is hopeful this is the year for his Bearcats to crack into that group. A few years back the GSSC team finished fourth.

And with performances like this past week, the odds are looking more and more favorable. On Thursday Wheeler knocked off Lowell in a closely contested 95.5-84.5 dual. On Saturday the Bearcats won the seven-team Griffith Invite, which they won two straight years before taking second in 2010, with a strong 155.5 showing.

While nine firsts steered the Griffith victory, the lower finishes also showed the program’s increased depth, which nearly doubled this season at 30 swimmers.

“This team I have this year is the deepest team that I’ve ever had,” Klimczak said. “(Depth has) provided us with a lot more opportunities to fill up events with seasoned swimmers.”

Adding to the upswing are the contributions of Katie Wong (sprints) and Sara Helmerich (distance) and Danielle Radosevich. The three newcomers have contributed a multitude of firsts to a 5-1 dual record so far.

Next Monday’s dual with Portage, which finished third at last year’s Chesterton Sectional, is the next big measuring point.

“We have a tough dual coming up with Portage on the 19th and I think that’s the true test of where we’re at this season,” Klimczak said. 

P-T Top 5

1. Chesterton, 2. Munster, 3. Crown Point, 4. Lake Central, 5. Valparaiso 

Girls swimmer of the Week

Danielle Radosevich, Wheeler

It hasn’t taken the Valparaiso transfer long to mesh into her new squad. The senior was part of eight firsts between Thursday and Saturday, when the Bearcats edged Lowell in a dual (95.5-84.5) and then won the Griffith invite.

— By correspondent Josh Lichtenfeld

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