Girls Swimming: Lincoln-Way West’s Gallagher qualifies for state
By Tim O’Brien For Sun-Times Media November 10, 2012 7:48PM
Lockport's Michelle Johnson stays close to the lead on her way to a second-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle Saturday in the Sandburg Sectional. | Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 10, 2013 1:46AM
As a freshman, Emily Gallagher became the first Lincoln-Way West athlete to qualify for an IHSA state event.
Now a senior, Gallagher is hoping to end her high school career on a high note.
Swimming at Saturday’s Sandburg Sectional, Gallagher won the 100-yard freestyle and also advanced to state in the 100 breaststroke with a second-place finish.
“It’s an awesome end to my high school year,” Gallagher said. “I felt great swimming, and I was able to cut off four seconds from my times.”
Sandburg defeated Lockport 309-270 for the team title. It was the 10th straight sectional title for the host Eagles. All first-place finishers, along with any swimmers finishing under a state-cut time, advance to this week’s state meet.
Gallagher swam the freestyle in 53.80 seconds to earn the win. Her time in the breaststroke was 1:07.01. Lincoln-Way West finished fourth as a team with 153 points.
“Not to be cocky, but I felt like I swam awesome,” Gallagher said. “I cut time, and I made it to state so that was my goal.”
West diver Alexis Skiniotes finished first, totaling 401.65 points.
Second-place Lockport had only one swimmer advance to state, junior Amanda Moran qualifying via a third-place finish in the 100 backstroke (59.22). Moran did not taper for the sectional and was counting on her seed time being low enough to carry her through.
“(Not tapering) made the race a lot more interesting,” Moran said with a laugh. “I went full throttle this week in practice so I had trouble even standing up. It made everything more of a risk, but the pressure is off now for state.”
Lockport divers Carolyn Dietz (3rd, 373.70 points) and Katy Knight (4th, 369.75) could qualify for state with at-large bids.
Providence’s Maria Papes won the 100 butterfly (58.65). The Celtics finished ninth (34.5 points).
Joliet West’s Trisha Cavarubbia finished second in the 100 backstroke (58.19) and qualified for state.
Lemont (5th, 102), Joliet West (6th, 94), Morris (8th, 47), and Joliet Catholic (12th, 22) rounded out the 13-team meet.
Metea Valley Sectional: Plainfield co-op’s McKenna Avery advanced to state, finishing third in the 100 freestyle (53.06) and seventh in the 100 backstroke (59.04). Carly Kramer advanced with a third-place finish in the 100 butterfly (57.43). Plainfield’s 200 medley relay team (9th, 1:49.25) also advanced.
Lincoln-Way East Sectional: Taylor Jach won the 200 free (1:53.29) and 500 free (5:05.52) for host East. Also advancing was Brittany Felice in the 500 free (2nd, 5:10.83), the 200 free relay (1st, 1:38.70), Allison Goldsmith in the 100 breaststroke (4th, 1:08.15) and the 400 free relay (2nd, 3:35.83). Lincoln-Way Central was led by Kim Bernhard in the 100 backstroke (1st, 51.87).
