Will McNeil announced Saturday that he’s prepared to return to the state boys swimming and diving meet.
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The final verdict for the Oak Park-River Forest senior will come on Feb. 21, when the Huskies compete in the Fenwick Sectional with state berths on the line.
McNeil and the Huskies tied for eighth in the 200-yard freestyle relay last season, but McNeil is the only returnee from that OPRF unit. The Huskies’ new quartet placed third at the West Suburban Silver meet Saturday at York. McNeil combined with junior Josh Fluharty, freshman Max Razzino and junior Jackson Lewis to finish in 1:30.55, behind Hinsdale Central (1:27.57) and Lyons (1:30.15).
OPRF (180), which placed third, was led by McNeil, who owned the team’s top individual finish by taking third in the 50 free (22.69). The state time is 21.90 and McNeil and Fluharty might compete in that event at the sectional.
“I think I might be able to break 22 seconds by the end of the season,” McNeil said.
Much of the focus for McNeil and coach Clyde Lundgren is on the 200 free relay, which is in position to reach the state qualifying mark of 1:27.93.
“Will brings valuable state scoring experience to that relay from last year,” Lundgren said. “He’s a seasoned sprinter and demonstrates great poise.”
Last year’s relay clocked 1:26.76 with three seniors: James Kelly, Chris Brandt and Mark Hallman.
The Huskies are rebuilding around a young group of juniors and Razzino. McNeil and Riley Silber are the top seniors among this year’s competitors.
“Will is a fine young man, “Lundgren said. “He’s a great teammate. He has such a natural feel for the water.”
McNeil has become a contributor for two other relays, but those swimmers need to make up a lot of time.
OPRF’s 200 medley relay placed third at conference (1:43.29) with Jack Girardot, Fluharty, Jack Schimmel and McNeil. The 400 free relay also third (3:24.30) with Lewis, Razzino, McNeil and Silber.
Fenwick takes fourth at conference meet
Fenwick picked up individual wins from Michael Hill and Cavan Smith and touched first in the 200 free relay to place fourth at the MCAC meet Saturday at Fenwick.
Hill (21.63) won the 50 free and Smith (53.12) took the 100 butterfly for the Friars (272 points).
The winning 200 free relay (1:28.86) included Smith, Mickey McGuire, Tom Pydrowski and Hill.
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