For the first time since 1998, the Huskies’ boys swimming team won the West Suburban Silver Conference that had been dominated by Lyons Township and Hinsdale Central high schools for the last two decades.
With the depth the team has exhibited all season — they went undefeated in conference dual meets — the Huskies are keeping everything in perspective with bigger goals in mind.
“This is a really solid victory for us,” said junior Diego Pareja. “But we are more focused on the future with sectionals and state. [OPRF head coach Clyde Lundgren] was very proud of us and let us know how big a deal this was but let us know to keep focusing on what is ahead.”
OPRF finished first at the conference meet with 311.5 points. Hinsdale Central placed second (264), followed by LTHS (246.5), York (209), Downers Grove North (111) and Glenbard West (95).
Highlights from the night
Junior Benjamin Guerrero had himself a day as he broke the conference record in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1 minute, 55.10 seconds. The previous record was 1:56.48, set by Hinsdale Central’s Danny Thompson in 2011.
Guerrero also finished second in the 500-yard freestyle (4:46.44) behind York High School’s Jay Jensen (4.44.57).
“It was funny because we were excited for [Guerrero], but he came out of the pool disappointed he didn’t do better,” said Pareja. “We were like trying to tell him, ‘That was so good!’ He is already focused on the next meet.”
Junior Frank Tirone and Lyons Township High School senior Jack Thorell tied for first in the 50-yard freestyle at 21.67. Pareja placed first in the 100-yard butterfly (53.67) and 100-yard backstroke (53.13).
The Huskies’ 200-yard medley relay team (Pareja, Owen Osga, Will Raidt and Tirone) placed first in the event with a time of 1:36.23 over Hinsdale Central’s team, which finished second at 1:36.89.
OPRF’s 400-yard freestyle relay (Pareja, Guerrero, Raidt and James Shorney) also won with a time of 3:12.09.
Senior diver Taylor Hoyt blew his competition out of the water with a score of 411.35, outdistancing the second place finisher, who finished with 367.50 points.
You can find the full results here.
Moving forward
OPRF will get 11 days off until the IHSA Sectional meet, which will determine who will compete at the IHSA State Meet. Fenwick High School, 505 Washington Blvd. in Oak Park, will host the sectional meet on Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.
