Hawken leads Hinsdale South in conference meet

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Updated: May 9, 2012 9:58AM

Three swimmers each won more than one event during Saturday’s West Suburban Conference Gold Division meet, held at Downers Grove South, and one of them was Hinsdale South freshman Rachel Hawken.

The Darien resident shook off nerves entering the conference meet to win the 100-yard backstroke (1:03.64) and 200 individual medley (2:20.76). Hawken’s teammate, Hannah Veselik, was another two-time winner, finishing first in the 200 free (2:00.23) and 100 butterfly (1:01.73).

In addition, Hawken and Veselik combined with Maya Rodriguez and Dana Vinyard to win the 200 medley relay (1:57.88). Hawken also was part of the 400 free relay (with Brianna Kirin, Emma Smoczynski and Katie Favia), which placed second (3:50.51) .

“I was really surprised. I was not planning on that (success),” Hawken said. “I have a good coach (Frank Kuchta). He was a big help. He helped me with my strokes and (provided) a lot of motivation for me to do well.”

The meet’s other two-time champion was Addison Trail’s Molly Kuenstler, who won both the 50 free and 100 free.

Hinsdale South, which won all of its conference dual meets, won the conference meet with 317 points over Addison Trail (299).

Rodrigues set a conference record with a winning time of 1:07.76 in the 100 breaststroke. Her teammate, Mika Deshmukh, was third (1:16.04).

Smoczynski won her own title in the 500 free (5:40.09). She also finished second in the 200 free (2:04.48).

“We did so well in the conference that I think we’ll do well in the sectional,” Hawken said. “We might get a relay to State in the 200 medley.”

The Hornets will compete in the Lyons Township Sectional at 1 p.m. Nov. 12.