7 takeaways from Springfield's first big high school swim meet
The Springfield-area girls swimming and diving teams had their first big test last weekend at the annual Capital City Classic Invitational at Eisenhower Pool.
Southern Illinois powerhouse Edwardsville edged Central State Eight Conference member Normal U-High 280-277 to claim the team title, but we learned plenty about area swimmers and divers in the annual event.
Here are seven takeaways from the meet:
Glenwood, U-High are CS8 front-runners
Glenwood is relying on a young group this season. Freshmen Erin Turk, Ashleigh Maender and Maja Dey and sophomores Kaleigh Bobb and Lizzie Tomko all lowered at least one of their preliminary individual times and had admirable placings at the meet. U-High won seven of the 12 varsity events, including winning the 400-yard freestyle relay over Edwardsville that got it within three points of the title. Look for a Glenwood vs. U-High showdown for the CS8 crown.
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PORTA's Kate Scheina is the real deal
The freshman is putting PORTA swimming on the map. Scheina placed second in the 50 freestyle in 26.53, losing by just one-tenth of a second to Edwardsville junior Maddie Milburn (26.43). Scheina finished fourth in the 100 butterfly in 1:05.29. She won the 200 IM and butterfly in a triangular meet against Glenwood and Southeast on Sept. 7.
Abigail Bouravnev is the one to beat
Without a full team, the Lutheran senior can only compete in invites, the sectional meet and possibly at state. She won the 1-meter diving event with a score of 377.75, ahead of Springfield High junior Falyn Long, who took second with 340.40. Bouravnev was a second-place sectional finisher last season.
Natalie McGlaughlin will challenge at City
The Southeast senior has the opportunity to win an event at this year’s City meet that includes Springfield and Sacred Heart-Griffin. McGlaughlin was a junior varsity swimmer last season, but with her sixth-place finish in the 100 butterfly (1:09.36) at the classic, her improvement may pay big dividends on Oct. 19.
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Erin Turk is ready for the spotlight
In her freshman season, the Chatham Glenwood swimmer already is making a statement. She took second in the 200 IM (2:25.86) and was fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:17.05). She is also a member of the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.
Izzy Canny is a dark horse
The Sacred Heart-Griffin freshman received some positive remarks from coach Anneliese Fierstos before the season started. The swimmer backed it up with a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke (1:04.18) and a fourth-place showing in the 50 freestyle (27.22).
Springfield-area relays must improve
Glenwood was the only area relay team that stayed within striking distance of Edwardsville, Normal U-High and O’Fallon. The Titans were third in both the 200 medley and 200 freestyle and finished fourth in the 400 freestyle.
Contact Trevor Lawrence: trevor.lawrence@sj-r.com