Saint Patrick's Swimming and Diving sectional performance at Fenwick on Saturday can only be described as a waterfall of success, oh, and medals.

The meet started in the morning with the diving event. Senior Michael Wright came into the meet hoping to better his own pool record set two weeks ago at the Catholic League Conference Meet. Wright did just that. With a final score of 478.45, he improved it by 15.50 points. The score also improved his school record. “My goal was to go 500 but I’m happy with a 478.45,” said Wright. “I was extremely pleased with 8 out of his 11 dives. He [Wright] really stepped it up on is newer dives but was a little below his best on three of his old dives. The time to peak is at state and I believe he’ll do just that,” said Coach Michael Fosco about Wright’s performance. Wright’s score places him in second going into Friday’s state preliminaries at Evanston H.S. “In the sectional meets three coaches and two officials judge, scoring is subjective to some amount. At state, everyone is measured the same. Whoever hits wins,” said Coach Fosco. Wright’s competition will come from two familiar faces. Defending state champion Wes Villaflor of Glenbrook South and New Trier’s Danny Harper both who train with Wright at Oakton Dive Club where Coach Fosco is an assistant coach. Wright has beaten them both all ready this season. St. Patrick’s number two diver junior Kevin Nitsche set a personal best of 298.15 taking 5th while missing 3rd by less than three points. Nitsche will be poised to make state next year by training this upcoming off-season with the Oakton Dive Club.

Maybe it was the success of the divers or the pure excitement of making state but the medal performances continued in the swimming events. If you asked head swim coach Marty Gibson if he was thinking about the first race, the 200 yard medley relay, he would have said, “all week.” “I knew they could get through, but did they have it in them.” The team showed they did. Taking second overall in the meet, relay members senior Joe Prezkota, freshman Dan Kalupski, junior James Ridgeway, and junior Jeff Winter dropped significant time to post a 1:40.11, about a second under the state cut. “I’m ecstatic. I couldn’t be happier about their swim,” said Coach Gibson.

Junior sensation James Ridgeway dominated his two individual events to stake claim he is one of the best. However, if you’re talking about the 100 yard breaststroke, he is the best. With a time of :58.63, Ridgeway is the only swimmer to go under a minute in the state. “I felt good through the race. I know I have more in me for state. My goal is to go around :56.00 and win the state title,” said Ridgeway. No St. Patrick swimmer has ever won the state title. James’ brother, Paul, took 2nd in 2001 and 3rd in 2002 in the 100 yard breaststroke. James will have two opportunities to be the first. His time of 1:57.69 in the individual medley put him in 5th going into Friday’s meet. “James is a sensational swimmer. He’s talented, strong, and focused for this weekend. If anyone can be the first champion, he can. Not only that but he’s a great team leader and will help our relay and diver Michael Wright go for medals as well,” said Coach Gibson about Ridgeway.

Not to be overshadowed was the freestyle duo of Dan Kalupski and Joe Prezkota. Kalupski gave an outstanding performance in the 200 yard freestyle, just missing the state cut with a time of 1:48.42 taking 3rd. Prezkota took 5th with a personal best time of 1:51.99. They raced again in the 500 yard freestyle. Kalupski became the first shamrock to swim under five minutes in about four years, posting a 3rd place time of 4:59.00. Prezkota took 6th in a personal best time of 5:11.02. “Kalupski and Prezkota had a great meet. They stepped up when they needed to. Both will be important for a top 12 finish on that medley relay team,” said Coach Gibson.

Other great swims were given by junior Tom Pederson in the 50 yard freestyle, junior Jeff Winter in the 100 yard freestyle, and senior Chris Garrity in the 200 yard individual medley. All dropped time to hold off perennial swim powerhouse Oak Park-River Forest H.S. to secure second place behind Fenwick H.S. “This meet was great. The whole team stepped it up. Now we move to state and hopefully make some history,” said Coach Gibson.

State preliminaries are Friday and State Finals are Saturday at Evanston High School.