Seniors and multiple all-staters Anna Doherty and Evelyn Mulvihill continued raising the expectations of the Fenwick girls swimming and diving team.
“The taper was well executed this season,” Mulvihill said. “We trained harder than we ever have. We worked the small things a lot in practice so [the postseason] went really well.”
The Friars will reach one last time at the state finals, Saturday, at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont.
With three top-eight all-state and two consolation all-state performances, Fenwick (65 points) earned a tie for 10th with Fremd for the Friars’ first top-10 state finish since taking seventh in 2015.
“It shows that our hard work really paid off,” Doherty said. “We sacrificed a lot for this season. I’m really happy that it resulted in a really positive way.”
Fenwick’s Anna Doherty competes in the 200 Yard IM during the IHSA Girls’ State Final meet Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s Evelyn Mulvihill competes in the 100 Yard Freestyle during the IHSA Girls’ State Final meet Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal) 
Fenwick’s Claire Wood competes in the 200 Yard Medley Relay during the IHSA Girls’ State Final meet Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 in Westmont, IL. (Steve Johnston/Wednesday Journal)
Four of the Friars’ five entries placed higher Saturday than in qualifying during Friday’s preliminaries. Top-eight finishers competed for the state title Saturday. The next eight finishers raced for ninth place.
Doherty was sixth in the 200-yard individual medley (season-best 2:04.22) and seventh in the 500 freestyle (4:57.86).
The 400 free relay with Mulvihill, sophomore Maggie Raniere, junior Claire Wood and Doherty was seventh (3:28.40).
In the consolation finals, the 200 medley relay (1:45.27) of Mulvihill (backstroke), Doherty (breast stroke), Wood (butterfly) and Raniere (free) finished 11th. Mulvihill was 13th in the 100 free (51.49).
“It was an amazing day. We had some great final finishes,” Mulvihill said.
Based on Friday’s times, the Friars were seeded to score 63 points.
“Except for the 400 freestyle relay, the girls moved up in place. I know the girls wanted to finish in the top 10,” second-year Fenwick coach Ben Munster said. “I would say there were some really impressive performances all weekend. I’m really proud of the way the girls raced. I’m really proud of the way they came together the last three weeks for conference, sectionals and state. The results speak for themselves in terms of what they accomplished this season.”
As they prepare to compete collegiately, Doherty (heading to Williams College) and Mulvihill (Iowa State) left quite a resume. Doherty had four all-state performances in her two individual events with faster times Saturday than she did taking sixth in both in 2023 (5:03.26 and 2:04.55). Doherty’s 4:55.92 to win the 500 free at the Leyden Sectional, Nov. 9, is the school record. She also was part of four consolation all-state relay lineups.
“Honestly, watching Anna succeed in that 200 IM (Saturday) after she trained so hard, it was so amazing to be able to do everything she did pay off,” Mulvihill said. “I’m going to remember the people the most, the way that this team has supported me and made me a better person.”
This was Mulvihill’s first individual consolation all-state honor to join three consolation all-state relays. She swam a school-record 51.09 in the 100 free at sectionals and 51.15 Friday.
“I’m really happy with how Evelyn swam her 100 free and all of our relays did really well, too,” Doherty said. “We have some really good leaders on the team who will take hold next year. I’m happy with the team in general and how we did.”
Also for the Friars in Friday’s preliminaries, Mulvihill (100 back in 58.01) was 21st, Raniere (50 free in 24.23) was 30th, sophomore diver Valenica Ptak (197.25 points for 5 dives) was 34th and Wood (1:56.28) and freshman Audrey Munley (1:57.03) were 38th and 41st in the 200 free.
Oak Park and River Forest High School junior Hailey Boland was 29th in the 100 breast (1:07.43).