Boys Swimming: Deerfield celebrates bevy of State qualifiers

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Deerfield's Kevin Ewing qualified to state in three events, including the 200 IM. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media

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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:51AM

There were many strong performances by the members of the Deerfield boys swimming team at the Glenbrook North Sectional on Saturday, including Chris Roberts’ in the 200-yard medley relay and the dominance of freshman Sean Scarry in the diving competition.

“This was the cherry on top of everything this year — getting so many into the state (meet),” said Deerfield coach John Sullivan said. “It was huge. Guys were going best times all over the place.”

The surprising 200 medley relay squad qualified for the state meet in Evanston. After the relay finished third in the Central Suburban League North meet the previous week, not many people would have given the quartet a good chance to qualify for State. But in a thrilling finish, they completed the race in 1:38.86 to make the cut.

“I watched the seconds tick off,” Sullivan said. “I was so happy for the boys and they were so excited.”

Kevin Ewing started out with a solid time in the backstroke, followed by Dan Perlovsky’s fast breaststroke, and a good swim by Mark Stern in the butterfly. It was then up to Roberts in the freestyle leg, but there was one problem. Roberts had the flu and Sullivan wasn’t even sure he would race that day. Roberts warmed up earlier and said he was ready to go.

“It says a lot about him. When Chris came home in 20.9, I said, ‘Oh, my gosh,’ ” Sullivan said. “That was a heck of a swim.”

While the medley relay team just made the cut, Scarry showed why he’ll be among the elite at State. He won the sectional competition with a score of 458.60. Warriors sophomore Ryan Church was second at 390.55.

“Sean dove out of his mind — easily his best of the year,” said Deerfield diving coach Doug Foerch. “Ryan also had a really big day. Placing second was a big surprise.”

Scarry started strong, nailing a front 2 1/2 somersault. Scarry will be seeded in the top 10, while Church will be around 30th.

As for their prospects at State?

“It’s always tough to tell,” Foerch said. “Sean has a chance to place, but you have to be near perfect like he was at sectionals. This will be a great learning year for Ryan. If he could finish anywhere near 25th, I’d be happy.”

Back to swimming. Roberts again shook off his illness to finish first in a dead heat with Glenbrook South’s Thomas Pollick in the 50 freestyle, in 21.59.

“Chris had a great start and he was in the lead at the turn,” Sullivan said. “He came off a little awkward from the turn, but he swam hard to the wall.”

As for State?

“The 50 is all about the start and turn,” Sullivan said. “It would be great to get a top-12 finish. He’s already had a great season.”

Deerfield’s top swimmer, Ewing, qualified in three events: the aforementioned 200 medley relay, along with the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke.

“Kevin qualified for Junior Nationals in his age group,” Sullivan said. “He’s an all-around great swimmer.”

Ewing won the 200 individual medley in 1:56.17, and will be seeded in the top 12. He finished second in the 100 backstroke in 52.94.

“I believe he can (finish in top 12),” Sullivan said. “It’s about the energy level and the turns. No hesitation. You just got to go.”

The state meet preliminaries are set for 3:30 p.m. Friday; the finals, and the diving competition, begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Notes: Sullivan was quick to point to the contributions of the area’s COHO swim club and head coach Nancy Reese. She began coaching at COHO in 1996 and has worked with many of the Deerfield swimmers.