Crown Point came in with some heat with the likes of U.S. national team member Hannah Kukurugya and the Artim sisters leading the way. The Trojans, however, came to play and it all started with the medley relay.
Chesterton’s foursome of Cara Kroeger, Jenn Gillen, Vanessa Krause and Andrea Hanas, took first with a time of a 1:46.45 leaving Crown Point with the second place spot on the podium in a 1:47.32. Crown Point bounced back with Hannah Kukurugya’s record breaking win in the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:50.76 but the Trojans responded with 3 major upsets in a row. Cara Kroeger defeated a strong Kelsi Artim for the win in the 200 IM winning the event in a time of 2:06.39, then Krause and Hanas went 1-2 in the 50 free with Mackenzie Artim taking the 3rd, this all built up to the greatest showdown of the day between Vanessa Krause and Hannah Kukurugya in the 100 fly. Both very familiar with one another going head to head in this event many times made for a much anticipated race. Krause, the Michigan commit took first at the 50 mark and never looked back after that. Krause took home the win in a 54.66 and was named MVP.
After that race there was no looking back for the Trojans who hit the gas and sped off with their 17th consecutive Duneland Athletic Conference Meet title. Hanas captured the 100 free title, Lauryn Kallay lead a 1-2-3 finish in the 500 and the Chesterton’s 200 free relay crushed the rest of the competition winning by over 2 seconds.
With only three events left in the meet, Chesterton’s strength continued to make statements. Cara Kroeger took the 100 backstroke title but it was an stunning 2nd place finish by Jaclyn Klimczak that brought an uproar to the Chesterton crowd. The 100 breaststroke race was the second most exciting race of the day with 4 swimmers clocking in 1:07’s. But it was not breaststroke star Kelsi Artim who dominated the race but Chesterton’s Aubrey Wing, who won the event in a time of 1:07.14. Artim and Chesterton’s Kelly Craig tied for the 2nd place spot and Jenna Gillen, who played a crucial rule on Chesterton’s medley relay took the 4th spot.
Finally, the Trojans sealed the deal by winning the 400 freestyle relay more than 12 seconds ahead of the Bulldogs.
The Chesterton team took 3rd last year at the state meet behind Fishers and Carmel, although the firepower that Carmel holds is too great for this Chesterton squad, the young talent and death that the Trojans are carrying into this year’s championship season is greater than last years.