Kamper, Capouch Spark Sandburg Girls at Sectional

Think perfection in sports is difficult? Sandburg's girls swim team was about as close as you could get Saturday afternoon at the Sandburg Sectional.

"We had almost a near-perfect day," Eagles coach Jane Caliendo said, as Sandburg had qualifiers for the state meet next weekend in Evanston in all but two of the events.

Sandburg won Saturday's meet with 318 points, while Lockport finished in second place with 283 points. Andrew had 167 points to finish in third.

Winners of the events move on to the state finals, as do individuals with times that beat the state qualifying standards.

Brittany Kamper and Tara Capouch each had excellent days for Sandburg. Kamper broke the school record in a victory in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 58.33, and she also won the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.69. Capouch won two individual events, taking the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:55.33 and the 100 freestyle with a time of 53.46.

"I feel good," Capouch said. "It's nice to win both of my individual events. I still have state next week, so I just have to be ready for that and have a lot of energy."

How is Capouch going to prepare for state? "Sleep a lot," she said.

Sandburg came up a winner in two dramatic finishes in relay events. The Eagles' 200 medley relay team won by 0.01 seconds, while the 200 freestyle relay team won by 0.15 seconds. Sandburg also won the 400 yard freestyle relay.

Other Eagles girls who will swim next weekend at state include Caitlin Krull, who qualified in the 200 freestyle and won the 500 freestyle, and Jamie Pappanastos, who  qualified in the 100 breaststroke.

Andrew concluded its season Saturday. "The girls all did very well," coach Kelly Benhart said. "They had amazing time drops."

Anna Tamulonis led Andrew with a fourth-place finish in the 200 freestyle. The Thunderbolts' relay teams also competed well. They were fourth in the 200 medley relay, third in the 200 freestyle relay and third in the 400 freestyle relay.

Senior Leah McCarthy said she learned about teamwork this year. "When you need help, go to your team, because they're always there for you," she said.

Lincoln-Way West finished in fifth place with 142.5 points. Emily Gallagher finished in third in the 100 freestyle and third in the 100 breaststroke. The Warriors' 200 medley relay team finished in fifth, while their 400 freestyle relay team placed fourth.

Shepherd finished in sixth place with 62 points. "We had a great day for sectionals," Astros coach Barb Larson said. "I was very pleased. We only had two girls that didn't have a personal best."

Shepard's 200 freestyle relay team led the way with a fifth-place finish.

Lemont placed seventh with 61 points.

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