Four-peat complete for Rosary swimmers
Scott sets record in 100 fly; Beads claim another state title
WINNETKA -- Senior Mackenzie Powers believes that in addition to talent and hard work, attitude is a big reason why Rosary has made it a habit of winning the IHSA girls state swimming championship.
The Beads took their fourth straight title Saturday, easily outdistancing the competition with 177 points to 129 for second-place host New Trier. Fenwick won the third-place medal with 96 points.
(Donnell Collins/For Sun-Times Media)
(Donnell Collins/For Sun-Times Media)
"We don't go into a meet saying we might win," said Powers, a member of all four title teams. "We go in with the mindset that we want to win and we're going to do everything we can to win. I think that separates us from the other teams. That first championship gave us the confidence and the ability to know how to win the past three years."
Senior Olivia Scott, another four-year champion, won the 200-meter individual medley and then took the 100 butterfly in a state record time of 53.09, breaking the old record of 53.11 that was set by former Rosary great Mary Descenza in 2001.
"I've been hoping to get that record since my freshman year," Scott said. "I'm glad Haley Sims was next to me. She really pushed me to go faster. She's a great racer."
Sims of Downers Grove North finished in 54.80, just ahead of Powers, who swam a 54.82.
The Beads won the 200 freestyle relay behind Sarah Sykstus, Rachel Burke, Katherine Hare and Scott, and they finished second in both the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay.
Rosary had three other top-six swims with Burke finishing sixth in the 100 freestyle, while Emily Launer was third in the 500 freestyle and Powers finished fourth in the breaststroke.
"Our girls did an awesome job," Rosary coach Bill Schalz said. "I thought this would be a tight meet. But we had girls who were coming out of nowhere to score points in both the finals and the consolation heat. I'm happy with the relays, really happy for Olivia and I feel good that almost everyone moved up today from their performance in the prelims. This was really a total team effort."
It was clear early in Saturday's meet that Rosary was on its way to a fourth straight title, but the Beads just kept opening the lead as the day went on.
"We had a big lead and we could have sat back and relaxed." Schalz said. "But they wanted to race today."
In the 100 breaststroke, Oswego co-op's Karolina Wartalowicz finished second, and Metea Valley's Megan Sellers was fourth, making her the Mustangs first state finalist.
Oswego co-op's Nicole Ligeza was sixth in the 200 IM, and Waubonsie Valley's Taylor Eggenberger was sixth in the diving. West Aurora's Jackie Iglesias placed eighth in the 100 backstroke and 11th in the 200 IM.
Girls state swimming meet
