Trojans top their peers

McHenry junior Tim Briscoe swims in a 100-yard breaststroke heat Saturday at the Fox Valley Conference Invitational at Woodstock North. McHenry finished second at the event with 278 points, behind Cary-Grove (322). (Catalin Abagiu – cabagiu@nwherald.com)

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WOODSTOCK – The Cary-Grove co-op boys swimming team can’t possibly gain any more momentum heading into next weekend’s sectionals.

After defeating McHenry, 104-66, in a dual Feb. 6, the Trojans gained the ultimate respect of their peers Saturday by winning the Fox Valley Conference Invitational.

C-G won with 322 points, followed by McHenry (278), Jacobs/Dundee-Crown (236) and Woodstock (209).

The FVC does not have enough teams for an official conference meet, but the 11-event invitational serves that purpose. Individuals from Huntley, Grayslake Central and Grayslake North also swam.

“This is a tough, tough win, and there’s lot of excitement,” fourth-year C-G coach Jim Andriakos said. “I’ve been with these seniors since they were freshmen, and to see their hard work pay off, it’s a good feeling.

“McHenry’s tough, boy, I’ll tell you. They are a force to be reckoned with, and I was surprised we survived it.”

After earning three of the top six spots in the meet’s second event, the 200-yard freestyle, the Trojans never trailed the rest of the way.

C-G freshman Michael Hamann was named Newcomer of the Year after setting an FVC meet record and a school record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 55.24 seconds, just shy of the state-qualifying mark of 55.07.

“Being a freshman, it’s just good to be here and gain the experience,” Hamann said. “I had a couple of great swims today, and I’m very happy with the outcome.

“The team looks strong, and we look pretty good going into sectionals.”

Hamann was C-G’s lone first-place finisher, but the Trojans took second in four events, including Edward Griswold in the 200 freestyle and Conor Cornelius in the 200 individual medley. The Trojans also placed second in the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays.

The Trojans, along with Jacobs/Dundee-Crown, are in the Stevenson Sectional on Saturday.

McHenry senior Reilly Shanahan earned Most Valuable Swimmer after winning two individual events. He won the 100 freestyle in 48.85 seconds and set a Woodstock North Pool record in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:47.24.

McHenry’s 200 freestyle relay team of Shanahan, Kyle Braun, Lucas Matthys and Dan Brucki also set a pool record with a time of 1:30.41. Braun won the 50 freestyle (22.89).

“The last three years, I didn’t think I was going to get the opportunity to get this fast, but it’s a good feeling” Shanahan said. “I think we could have won as a team, and we had a chance, but [C-G] has so much depth on their team, it’s hard to keep up with everyone.”

The Warriors, along with Woodstock, are in the Lake Forest Sectional.

Jacobs/Dundee-Crown’s 200 medley relay team of Kyle Efken, Ryne Quinlan, Alex Elston and John Jost won in 1:44.59. Elston won the 100 freestyle (54.08) and Quinlan won the 100 breaststroke (1:04.28).

Senior Zach Zankle had Woodstock’s best finish with a fourth-place time of 59.76 seconds in the 100 backstroke. Woodstock’s 200 medley relay team of Russell Hofmann, Adam Steinken, Morgan Hofmann and Matt DeWane finished third.

Grayslake North’s Jamie Landry won the 200 IM (2:06.47) and Huntley’s Jakub Petyniak won the 500 freestyle (5:12.13)