McHenry takes conference title

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WOODSTOCK – McHenry coach Mike Shanahan’s celebratory plunge into the Woodstock North pool was not something he expected to do coming into Saturday’s Fox Valley Conference girls swimming championships.

But after battling various injuries and illnesses throughout the season, the Warriors dominated the conference championships, winning seven of the meet’s 11 events to capture the team title with 287 points. They were followed by Jacobs (217), Woodstock (176), Crystal Lake Central (161), Dundee-Crown (141) and Cary-Grove (140).

“We haven’t been swimming that fast really or that well during the year, but a lot in swimming is just swimming well at the right time,” Shanahan said.

Senior Courtney Matthys and sophomore Kristen Lenard led McHenry with two individual titles each and shared the meet’s MVP honors.

Matthys won the 200-yard individual medley and set a pool record in her 100 breaststroke victory.

“I was so nervous coming into it, but it was a great meet,” said Matthys, who also swam on McHenry’s winning medley and 200 freestyle relays.

Lenard set pool records in winning the 200 and 500 freestyle. She also swam the lead leg on McHenry’s first-place 400 free relay.

“It feels really good to swim well like that and have it pay off,” said Lenard, who was three seconds shy of the state-qualifying time in the 500 free.

McHenry freshman Courtney Naughton, who placed third in the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke, was named Newcomer of the Year. She also swam on the Warriors’ winning medley and 200 free relays.

Jacobs junior Kristin Horney won the 50 free and took second in the 100 free.

Local schools will participate in Saturday’s sectional meet at Vernon Hills, and Shanahan said his first priority will be to keep his team healthy and rested.

It’s kind of a delicate balance trying to carry a little workload but also letting their bodies bounce back,” Shanahan said. “We almost won last year, so it was fun to do it with them this year.”