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Wildcats sweep relays, dominate their own invite
Updated: September 10, 2011 11:41PM
Neuqua Valley swimming coach Brandon King loves the options he has to fill the 12 spots on the all-important relay teams for the Wildcats’ post-season lineup.
On Saturday the Wildcats swept the three relays and amassed 640 points to easily outdistance the competition for the championship of the Neuqua Valley Invitational.
“We have so much depth in the sprint freestyle that it’s ridiculous,” said King. “The six girls who each swam on two relays today are pushing each other to get better. They’re all competitive so in meets they’re actually racing each other.”
The girls who are filling the relay spots now — and there’s no guarantee that another one or two won’t join the competition — are seniors Maggie Maxstadt and Courtney Taylor, and juniors Gia Dalesandro, Megan Childs, Riley Schroedter and Brooke Bedford.
Dalesandro, Taylor, Bedford and Maxstadt won the 200 medley relay by more than three seconds over a fast-improving Waubonsie Valley team (Maddie Hunt, Alexa Steffl, Molly Devine and Melina Moussetis).
The 200 medley relay team of Schroedter, Childs, Taylor and Maxstadt edged St. Charles North in the 200 freestyle relay.
“I love to have Maggie anchoring the relays,” said King. “She’s a real competitor who loves to race, especially on the relays.”
“I’ve always loved anchoring,” said Maxstadt, a three-time state qualifier. “When I get put in that position I feel that I have more responsibility. I have the opportunity to change the game.”
In the 400 freestyle relay, Schroedter, Bedford, Childs and Dalesandro defeated Downers Grove North by more than three seconds.
The Wildcats also excelled in many individual races as well. Taylor won the 200 IM, Dalesandro finished first in both the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke and Childs was the winner in the 100 free.
“This meet says our team is right on track,” said Taylor, a three-year state qualifier and one of the team captains. “We’re all close friends, we know what we want and we’re dedicated to accomplishing these goals.”
Waubonsie Valley sophomore Hunt won the 50 freestyle.
“I trained a lot this summer and I’ve been dropping a lot of time,” said Hunt.
“Maddie got the state cut in the 50 free today,” said Waubonsie Valley coach Katie Peterson. “And that was huge because everyone played off of her and kept dropping times.”
Metea Valley, which was led by senior Megan Sellers’ victory in the 100 breaststroke, finished third in the team standings behind Neuqua and Downers Grove North.
“Our third-place finish is the biggest surprise ever,” said Metea Valley coach Lenny DePasquale. “It’s great that our kids could work together and make that happen. Practice is going to be fun on Monday.”
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