Martin, Hardy Rule At CSL South Swim Championships

Evanston’s swimmers accounted for an impressive 5 first place finishes, including two apiece by seniors Aaron Martin and Caden Hardy, Saturday at the Central Suburban League South division championship meet held at Glenbrook North.

The Wildkits, however, couldn’t match the depth of defending champion New Trier in the team standings. The Trevians ruled with 418.5 points to 330 for Evanston, with Glenbrook North (210), Maine South (174.5), Glenbrook South (165) and Niles West (97) following in order.

Martin showed he’s primed for a big finish in the postseason with a winning time of 1 minute, 42.88 seconds in the 200-yard freestyle race. That time was well under the established Illinois High School Associated state qualifying standard of 1:44.17.

He also went under the state cut on his way to a win in the 100 freestyle in 47.40 and turned in an anchor leg of 46.63 for the Wildkits in a hotly-contested 400 freestyle relay race. GBN won that showdown in 3:11.64, just a tick ahead of ETHS (3:11.92) and New Trier (3:11.95).

Hardy breezed to the title in the 200 individual in a season best time of 1:54.91 and produced another season best while beating the field in the 100 breaststroke with a 58.38 clocking.

Sophomore Lucas Macy shocked the field for a victory in the 500 freestyle. Only seeded fourth in the distance race, he sped to a time of 4:42.52 and beat out runnerup Ward Wilson of New Trier by two and one-half seconds.

Earning runneup honors for ETHS were Charlie Herrick, 21.78 in the 50 freestyle and Milo Balzer, 52.76 in the 100 butterfly. Herrick placed 3rd in the 100 backstroke, in 53.21, and diver Aryeh Lesch contributed a 3rd with his 11-dive total of 463.10 points.