Feb. 28--Lyons progressed through the winter in a conservative manner, opting to sacrifice early season achievement for a better chance at the ultimate prize.
The payoff for the Lions' restrained approach came Saturday in Evanston, where they won their first boys swimming and diving state title in convincing fashion. Lyons' 146 points were well ahead of runner-up Naperville Central's 122 and defending champion Hinsdale Central's 117.
"Everything was designed looking forward to this meet," said senior Weston Credit, one of three Lions to score in two individual finals. "We thought we had enough depth and talent to fight for a trophy, but to win it is unreal."
Lyons held a comfortable lead of 18 points going into the meet's final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Lions erased all doubt by winning that race and the 32 points that went with it, pushing their three-relay total to 82 points.
"That was exactly how we wanted to end the meet," said sophomore Henry Claesson, who swam the anchor leg on the final relay. "I knew if I got a lead on (early race leader) Hinsdale, I'd be able to hold it."
Individually, there were no double-winners, but Peoria Notre Dame sophomore Colton Paulson and DeKalb senior Daniel Hein came the closest, with each recording a title and a second-place tally.
Paulson held off the defending champion, Glenbrook South's Sam Iida, in the 500 free, while Hein's triumph in the 100 backstroke came a day after he set the state-meet record in preliminaries. His title was the first in DeKalb program history.
"It wasn't as fast as yesterday but coming back and getting the 'W' is awesome," said Hein, a Missouri recruit. "Swimming isn't the most glorified sport, so it's great bringing this back for the school."
St. Charles North's brother tandem of Joe and William Myhre came within 0.05 seconds of bringing two titles home to the same household. Joe, a senior, captured the 100 free in 44.92 seconds, but William, a freshman, was edged by New Trier's Charlie Scheinfeld in the 100 breaststroke, 59.90 to 59.95.
"I wanted him to win that race more than anything," said Joe, who led William's cheering section. "I feel really badly for him because he works so hard. But I'm really proud of him."
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Top teams
1. Lyons 146
2. Naperville Central 122
3. Hinsdale Central 117
4. Peoria Notre Dame 104
5. New Trier 82
