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OPRF’s Patnode, Bondarenko each take four firsts at Sandburg invite
Orland Park, IL - Saturday, January 12, 2013: Maine South's Matt Cacciatore competes in the 200 Medley Relay at the Al Gillberg Invitational. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: January 14, 2013 8:11PM
ORLAND PARK — Fenwick boys swimming coach Luke McGuire wasn’t sure what to expect from his team at the 52nd annual Al Gillberg Invitational Saturday at Sandburg High School.
He ended up being pleased with the Friars’ second-place finish in the 14-team event in Orland Park.
“The kids had exams this week and coming off (winter) break, it’s been a busy time for them,” McGuire said. “We had a good meet. To have them swim this well in the midst of exams is great.”
Fenwick (221 points) finished behind Marmion (245), while local teams Oak Park-River Forest (183) took fourth, Maine South (90.5) placed seventh and Hinsdale South (71) got eighth.
OPRF was led by seniors Kyle Patnode and Nikita Bondarenko, who each won two individual events and were part of two winning relays.
Patnode took first in the 100-yard butterfly (52.07 seconds) and 100 backstroke (51.93), while Bondarenko won the 200 freestyle (1:43.84) and 500 free (4:43.60). They teamed with Nathan Pimentel and Mark Hallman to win the 200 medley relay (1:39.66) and 400 free relay (3:15.31).
“I told the guys in the 400 free relay that it was probably one of the best Sandburg Invites I’ve seen in the last 10 years in terms of how they came here with a workman-like attitude toward getting prepared for their swims and then going out and executing,” OPRF coach Clyde Lundgren said.
Fenwick shined in diving Friday, with Max Showalter taking first with 416.4 points and Dave Durkin getting fourth (315.5). Zach Tieke won the 100 free (48.58) Saturday for the Friars’ other first-place effort.
Robert Mazza placed second in diving (348.05) to lead Maine South, while Makai DeNeve-Arnam finished fifth in the 50 free (22.98) for the team’s top individual swimming finish.
Hinsdale South was led by Ryan O’Toole, who took fourth in the 200 free (1:52.22) and 500 free (5:04.85).
