Thomas McMillan, sophomores power St. Charles North to DuKane swim title

ST. CHARLES – Youth was served this weekend for St. Charles North at the DuKane Conference meet hosted by St. Charles East.

Four St. Charles North sophomores won five events including two events by Thomas McMillan as the North Stars rolled to the conference title with 281 points. Wheaton co-op was the runner-up with 215 points.

McMillan won the 100 freestyle in 46.45 seconds and 100 backstroke in 49.66. The talented sophomore was also on the winning 200 medley relay (1:37.26) and 400 freestyle relay (3:15.75).

“Thomas is at a different talent level,” said North Stars coach Rob Rooney. “He is growing all the time.”

Sophomores Collin Beu, Josh Lack and Landyn Kruse all garnered top honors. Beu won the 200 individual medley with a clocking of 2:01.51.

“I am swimming confident right now,” said Beu. “My underwaters were good today. It is nice to win the conference.”

Beu was also on the winning 200 freestyle relay (1:28.81) and 400 freestyle relay.

Lack crossed the finish line first in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 59.90. He was on the winning 200 medley relay team and 200 freestyle relay.

Kruse was in the winners circle in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:49.52. The sophomore was a cog in the winning 400 freestyle relay team.

“These three have great talent and work ethic,” said Rooney. “The leadership will come.”

Rooney’s troops, which won nine of 11 events, also got great efforts from seniors Brady Nightlinger and Francesco Alongi.

Nightlinger won the 100 butterfly in a time of 53.12. The senior was on the first-place 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay team. Alongi was on the champion 200 medley relay team. Alongi, who was runner-up in the 100 breaststroke to Lack, swam a 1:00.96.

“Brady had a great meet,” said Rooney. ”I was really proud of Francesco. He took four seconds off his best time. He was a key for us."

Second place Wheaton co-op was paced by senior Luca Zdravkov who won the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:45.26.

“The competition in the conference is very good,“ said Zdravkov. ”I got off to a great start and my underwaters were good. I am looking forward to the sectionals in a couple of weeks.“

The Wheaton senior was the runner-up behind McMillan in the 100 freestyle.

Austin Kirkman was second in the 200 individual medley and 500 freestyle.

The co-op was second behind St. Charles North in all three relays.

The 200 medley relay team consisted of Kirkman, Sean Phillips, Owen Treanor and Caden Huynh.

The 200 freestyle team and 400 freestyle relays was comprised of seniors Zdravkov, Miles Lewis, Declan Sullivan and Kevin Boyle.

St. Charles East, led by a first-place effort by diver Jamie Heuser (455.95), was third with 170 points. Heuser was 37th at the state meet in 2024.

“Jamie is really working hard on some new dives in his list of preparation since the end of last season,” said coach Adam Musial. “He is consistently improving in big dive meet competitions. He is pushing for a better sectional and state finish.”

Carter Annarella was third in the diving competition.

St. Charles East’s quartet of Joaquin Negro, Garrett Mruk, Dean Bellizzi and Clancy Windle were third in the 200 freestyle relay, and the 400 freestyle relay team of Negro, Mruk, Windle and Cooper Brown also took third.

Lake Park, led by Matthew Karasek, was fourth with 147 points. Karasek won the 50 freestyle in 21.97.

“I had to get used to the blocks here,” said Karasek. “It was a bit of an adjustment. Once I got used to the blocks I was explosive. I am excited about the sectionals.”

The Lake Park junior was second in the 100 backstroke behind McMillan.

The Lancers’ 200 medley relay team with Karasek, Johnny Fox, Brandon Pena and James Vasalos finished third.

Fox was third in the 100 backstroke and fourth in the 100 butterfly.

Glenbard co-op (Glenbard East, Glenbard North) finished fifth with 68 points. The Ramthers' top effort came from James Meachum who was sixth in the 100 butterfly and seventh in the 200 individual medley. Benjamin Wagner was sixth in the 100 freestyle.

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