Niles West's Scott impresses with win at GBS Relays
Niles West junior Konner Scott was fast again and again Saturday at the Glenbrook South Relays.
Scott won the 100-yard freestyle in 48.63 seconds while swimming the event three times in a row as part of the meet’s unique format. Scott reached the final heat by finishing second in the first heat (51.44) and winning the second heat (49.78).
“Konner just has so much depth as a swimmer,” Niles West coach Dan Vander Jeugdt said of Scott, who placed 16 at state in the 200 individual medley and 17th in the 100 free last year. “The fact that he could post that quick of times in that quick of a time span in the 100 freestyle was terrific and shows what he’s capable of.”
Niles West tied Warren (145 points apiece) behind Glenbrook South (161) on the varsity level of the seven-team meet, but took third overall with 195 points behind Warren (225) and Glenbrook South (222) when freshmen and sophomore results were counted. All events were relays except for three heats of the 50 and 100 free.
“This is an awesome event and a great pool to swim,” Vander Jeugdt said. “We want to be swimming in fast relay events and this was the place to be doing that.”
The Wolves’ 200 butterfly relay team of Scott, Sam Stein, Elliot Kerbel and Ryan Miller placed second (1:42.51).
Kerbel placed sixth in the 50 freestyle (24.99). He got to the final heat by tying for fourth in the first heat with St. Patrick’s Peter Blume (23.30) and finishing sixth in the second heat (23.37).
“Elliott was very impressive today,” Vander Jeugdt said. “He had a sore back, but he grunted through some stuff and swam very well for us today.”
Niles West is hoping to use its performance as a stepping stone for the rest of the season.
“It was great seeing how we came out against a lot of solid teams today,” Vander Jeugdt said. “Hopefully we can improve our depth. At the top, our swimmers are really good. We’re still trying to improve our depth all-around though and that shows sometimes in dual meets. But this was great to see how we competed.”
Photo:
Niles West's Drake Nickell has to deal with loose goggles during the 200-yard breaststroke relay Saturday at the Glenbrook South Relays. (Photo by Jon Durr/www.photoshelter.com/c/jondurr)