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Boys Swimming: Naperville North takes DuPage Valley crown
| Corey R. Minkanic~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 4, 2012 11:48PM
Sam Hiller brings a lot of positive energy to the Naperville North team, and judging by the day he had Saturday at the DuPage Valley Conference swimming and diving meet, he has a lot to be positive about.
The junior was a member of two of the Huskies’ three winning relay teams and finished second behind teammate Nick Bessler in the 200 IM and second behind defending state champion Sean Lehane of Naperville Central in the 100 backstroke to help lead Naperville North to the DVC championship in the conference meet at Naperville Central on Saturday.
Hiller completed the IM in 2:00.43 and the 100 backstroke in 55.41.
“I was close to the state (qualifying) time in both individual races,” said Hiller. “And I’m pleased with that. I’m close enough to make it with my taper. We had a practice before the meet today and we were all swimming so tired. We knew we had to put in extra effort to win this meet.”
“Sam has been huge for us, especially late in the season,” said Naperville North coach Andy McWhirter. “We were looking for someone to step up and take the fourth spot in the 200 free relay and he did that. He’s an important man in our sectional lineup.”
Lehane set DVC meet records in two events, swimming the 200 freestyle in 1:43.34 and the 100 backstroke in 51.20.
“Sean has always been a special swimmer,” said Naperville Central coach Mike Adams. “He came into the season in great shape. He has more size and he’s not afraid to race. He’s just finding out how fast he can be.”
Bessler, who won the 200 IM in 1:57.86, also finished first in the 100 butterfly in 51.80.
The Huskies also got wins from Andrew Eiken in the 100 freestyle (47.62) and Kevin Butz in the 500 freestyle (4:49.89) and finished with 329 points to the Redhawks’ 280, which was good for second place.
“Winning conference is always a good feeling,” said Butz. We knew we would be strong this year and we’re a little more confident about winning than we have been in the past. The relays have really stepped up the past couple of weeks. Hopefully, we’ll be able to keep it up at sectionals and state.”
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