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Swenson adds breaststroke to repertoire
In this Oct. 8, 2011, photo, Loyola's Grace Tierney competes in the 100-yard freestyle in Barrington. Tierney, a sophomore, swam a leg on the victorious 400-yard freestyle relay team at the MCAC meet Saturday. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
Updated: November 3, 2012 2:50PM
Evan Swenson wasn’t considered a breaststroker before this season.
The Loyola senior is a fast learner.
The graduation of Mallory Remick and Michelle Garland left a hole at 100-yard breaststroke that Swenson has filled better than expected.
“We needed to find a way to get more individual points,” said Loyola coach Mike Hengelmann said. “And Evan has worked really hard in practice. It’s paid off because she’s had some great times.”
Swenson swam a conference-record 1:04 to finish first Saturday at the MCAC meet at Fenwick.
Although Hengelmann hasn’t finalized his sectional lineup for the Nov. 10 meet at Glenbrook South, he’s pretty sure Swenson will be competing in breaststroke.
“She deserves a second individual event after swimming three relays in past years,” the coach said of the league’s swimmer of the year.
Swenson, who lives in Evanston, most likely also will swim the 50 freestyle, an event she placed second in a year ago at the state meet.
Loyola’s other win Saturday came in the 400 free relay that featured freshman Maria Kyle, sophomore Libby Jardeleza, sophomore Grace Tierney and senior Maddie Jardeleza. The foursome clocked a season-best 3:34.03 to capture the conference championship.
“Those four really stepped up and threw down a good time,” Hengelmann said. “It’s not a shock because they’ve swam well all year.”
Swenson helped the Ramblers to runner-up finishes in the 200 medley relay (1:48.59) and the 200 free relay (1:38.07). Junior Marta Considine also swam on both of those relays.
The Ramblers took second to Fenwick with 376.50 points. The host Friars won their first league title with 397 points.
