Girls State Swimming: Lockport’s Moran nabs 8th in backstroke
By Tim O’Brien For Sun-Times Media November 17, 2012 9:40PM
Updated: December 19, 2012 1:35PM
Having squeaked in under the state qualifying cut last weekend at the sectional meet, Lockport’s Amanda Moran adjusted her focus for the state meet.
Against a loaded field in the 100-yard backstroke, the junior would focus on her own ability and hope her training paid off.
Moran finished eighth in the backstroke (:56.98) Saturday at the state meet at Evanston High School.
“The time drop was crazy this year, and I’m not disappointed at all with my place,” Moran said. “It was a very successful meet. I’m not going to be disappointed just because I didn’t get second, third or fourth.”
Moran finished fifth last season at state in the backstroke.
The last time a Lockport swimmer medaled in back-to-back seasons was Courtney Pope (now at Illinois) who accomplished the feat in 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Glenbrook South’s Olivia Smoliga won the backstroke (:51.43), setting a national record with the win.
“Yesterday was about the time, and today was more about winning my heat,” Moran said. “No one was going to tell her to take No. 2.”
No other area swimmers or divers advanced out of Friday’s preliminaries to Saturday’s consolation and championship heats.
Lincoln-Way East’s Taylor Jach finished 28th in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.56) and 22nd in the 500-yard freestyle (5:09.29).
Having qualified more swimmers for state than the program ever has, Plainfield co-op was led by Carly Kramer (33rd, :58.85) in the 100-yard butterfly, Caroline Kelly (34th, 1:07.85) in the 100-yard breaststroke, and McKenna Avery (36th, :53.42) in the 100-yard freestyle.
Lincoln-Way West diver Alexis Skiniotes finished 16th in the prelims, accumulating 260.30 points.
Joliet co-op’s Trisha Cavarubbia finished 15th (:58.19) in the 100-yard backstroke.
