Girls Swimming | Sandburg’s Maya Dobra leads contingent of Eagles headed to state
By Randy Whalen
Correspondent
Maya Dobry came into her final high school swimming sectional relaxed.
“I just came in with no expectations,” the Sandburg senior said. “I just wanted to come in, have fun and do what I had to do.”
What Dobry did was qualify for the IHSA girls swimming state finals in four events, set a pair of school records and break a pool record. This will be her third straight season advancing to state.
She helped the Eagles qualify for state in five events and finish second behind the host Porters at the Lockport Sectional on Nov. 4.
Stagg finished sixth and Shepard was 11th in the 12-team field.
Dobry won the 200 individual medley in 2:08.68 seconds and the 100 breaststroke in 1:04.38, setting school records in both and a pool record in the breaststroke. It was her fourth straight sectional championship in the breaststroke.
Dobry, Samantha Barry, senior Anne Driscoll, and sophomore Meghan Donnell had a state-qualifying time of 1:47.28 and second-place finish in the 200 medley relay.
“It was fun and I’m proud of everyone,” Dobry said. “I still have state but we have a great group of girls here and I’ll miss training with them.”
In the 200 free relay, Dobry, Donnell, Driscoll and senior Ella Briscoe made the state cut with a third-place finish of 1:38.37.
“Maya works hard, I love her and have enjoyed coaching her,” Sandburg coach Donna Driscoll said. “She has been one of the greatest joys of my coaching career.”
Eagles junior Aimee Crnich had a third-place score of 432.25 in diving to punch her ticket to state.
Stagg junior Alexandra Jancekova qualify for state by winning the 200 free in an Astros’ record 1:55.16 and 500 freestyle in 5:12.45.
“I’m more happy to win and qualify in the 200,” Jancekova said. “Because I hadn’t made it in that event before. So I was very determined and got the school record.
As a freshman, Jancekova qualified for state by winning the 500 free at sectionals. She missed the cut last year.
“She’s an incredibly hard worker,” Stagg coach Dennis Herron said of Jancekova. “She swims year-round and just pushes herself. To go to state in two events is pretty special.”
The state finals will be held this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-11, at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont.
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