Girls swimming: Relays lead Lyons at West Sububan Silver meet

Lyons’ freestyle relays come out on top at West Suburban Silver meet.

Lyons’ foursome of Louisa Hoffman, Kristine Rosenberger, Jennifer Weigand and Elly Vitek look to be good bets to make something happen at the sectional in two weeks.

The Lyons swimmers won both the 200-yard freestyle (1:40.01) and 400 freestyle (3:38.07) at the West Suburban Silver meet Saturday at Downers Grove North. The two relays were Lyons’ only event championships in the meet as the team prepares to host the sectional at 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at South campus in Western Springs.

“I’m happy with both freestyle relays,” said Kurt Johns, Lyons’ first-year coach. “They both finished first in conference and faced good competition against Downers North, Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West.”

Hinsdale Central won its ninth consecutive conference championship (296 points) and 33rd title since 1972 while beating Lyons (253). The two teams will meet again in the sectional.

The 200 freestyle relay beat Hinsdale Central’s combination of Lindsay Pavich, Kristen Worthington, Jennifer Coady and Genna Heidkamp (1:40.31) while the 400 relay topped Downers North’s Gabriele Serniute, Jen Gockman, Maddy Sims and Gabby Sims (3:38.14).

“At the varsity level, things shook out [standingswise],” Johns said. “We kind of expected a lot of teams gearing up and getting ready for the sectional meet.”

Among individuals, Vitek was Lyons’ top finisher by taking second place (53.82) to Downers North’s Gabby Sims (53.71) in the 100 free and second (1:54.63) to DGN’s Maddy Sims (1:54.36) in the 200 free.

Vitek, a junior from Western Springs, qualified for both of her individual freestyle events in last year’s state meet. She’s on track to return and has started dropping times as of the conference meet, according to Johns.

“Hopefully [she’ll return]. It’s tough to say right now,” Johns said. “So much of this season is mental. The kids have to stay mentally focused.”

One of Lyons’ conference runner-ups was Maddie Naughton (1:12.65), who finished second in the 100 breaststroke to Hinsdale Central’s Lindsay Pavich (1:09.66).

Rosenberger was third in the 50 free (25.62) and Weigand placed third in the 500 free (5:11.24). Kelly Garrow also finished third in the 100 back (1:02.47).

Weigand took fourth in the 100 butterfly (1:01.00).

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