Benet underclassmen making strides

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:40AM

After last Saturday's Trojan Invite, the future of the Benet boys swimming program is looking very bright.

The promising group of Redwings underclassmen took another step forward, by finishing second to powerful Naperville Central in the frosh-soph field.

Benet coach Sarah Maggio entered the youngsters, many of whom are varsity-level swimmers and among the team's best swimmers in the lower level of competition to give them a chance of succeeding against boys their own age.

And succeed they did, winning four events in racking up 246 points to edge Lyons Township (243) for second place. Naperville Central, which also breezed to victory at the varsity level, scored 313 points in the frosh-soph meet.

"We can't compete yet with teams like Naperville Central," Maggio said. "For us, it's about getting the opportunity to win. Getting your hand on the wall first in a race can be a great confidence-builder. And, we swam best times across the board."

The Medley Relay team consisting of freshmen Dave Wulffe, Stephen Spittler and Mitch Kinn and sophomore Matt Colletti, finished more than three seconds ahead of the runner-up Redhawks.

The 200 free relay team finished second and the 400 free relay team was third.

And then Wulffe, who battled a shoulder injury early in the year, won the 100 backstroke and finished second in the 200 IM.

Spittler won the 100 breaststroke and Kinn, whom Maggio describes as "a late bloomer," won the 100 butterfly and finished second in the 50 free.

"All three freshmen are talented, year-round swimmers," said Maggio. "Colletti is a three-sport athlete who plays soccer and volleyball. He's made a huge improvement. They're seeing their hard work pay off. When one person wins it makes the others want it more."

While Maggio isn't making any predictions about her freshmen and sophomore making the state cut this year, she believes the Redwings send a number of people to state next year.

Neuqua Valley senior John Mordach is starting to show that this could be his breakout year.

Long a team-leader and one of the most versatile swimmers in the Wildcats program, Mordach, who qualified for state in the 200 IM last year, has taken a step forward the past few weeks.

"At New Trier recently, John had one of his better meets," said Neuqua Valley coach Chad Allen. "He's distinguishing himself by getting time drops and keeping up with guys like Conner Jager and Rob Vechiola in practice. Mordach always tapers well so we're expecting some good results at the end of the year."

According to Allen, Mordach has brought a more mature attitude to the pool this year.

"He's pretty focused," said Allen. "He's taking things more seriously than he has in the past. He'll be swimming the IM at sectionals and we're hoping that he'll be on one of our relays."

When Matea Valley coach Mark Jager talks about the future of the Mustangs he mentions the core group of Michael Stack, Nick Pulgine and Zack McClernon. Now you can add Alex Gidlow to that nucleus.

The Mustangs finished second at the Trojan Invite and sophomore Gidlow finished fourth in the 100 backstroke and he anchored the 400-freestyle relay team, which finished second.

"Alex is going to be very good," said Jager. "We consider him an up-and-coming force for us. He can swim a lot of different things. He's a very hard worker and he's been extremely consistent in the backstroke. He does the backstroke on the medley relay team, but he's also solid as a freestyler, who can contribute in the free relays."

The 400 freestyle relay team that finished second also included McClernon and as well as two other promising athletes who will also impact the Mustangs in the future, freshman Alex Walter and junior James Dillman.

"Walter has great potential and Dillmans has been really consistent and he can do any event," Jager said. "A year from now, we'll be a different team."

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