Inside Girls Swimming: Crystal Lake co-op's Valerie Tarazi Athlete of Week

Athlete of the Week

Valerie Tarazi

Crystal Lake co-op, fr.

Tarazi took first at the York Invitational on Saturday in the 100-yard individual medley (2:07.43) and 100 breaststroke (1:06.91). The IM time was more than three seconds faster than the state qualifying standard, and the breaststroke time was about six-tenths of a second faster.

Noteworthy

Bus trouble: Huntley may want to consider alternate transportation to Saturday events after the past two weekends.

On the way home after the Woodstock Invitational on Sept. 20, the Red Raiders’ bus was rear ended by a car. There were no injuries, but the delay in getting back to school for homecoming was a big concern to the swimmers.

Huntley coach George Keenan didn’t want to insinuate that anything nefarious was going on but said it was a Jacobs parent who hit them after the Red Raiders had edged the Golden Eagles for third place.

After the accident, the police wanted information on every bus rider, which took some time to provide. When the paramedics showed up, they asked for the same information, which Keenan said almost caused his girls to revolt.

“That was quite the adventure,” Keenan said. “We were there over an hour.”

Spending the afternoon in a swimming pool wasn’t exactly the best way to get ready for a school dance that night.

“It was homecoming, so they were freaking out about their hair,” Keenan said.

On Saturday after the Buffalo Grove Invitational, Huntley was hit again by the bus jinx. A dead battery on their bus required calling for a replacement bus and another delay.

This week’s top meets

Jacobs-Hampshire co-op at Cary-Grove

4:30 p.m. Wednesday

The Fox Valley Conference matchup should be competitive with Jacobs taking fourth and C-G fifth at the Woodstock Invitational.

Hersey Jamboree

Noon Saturday

The annual event combines loud music, dancing and some swimming. Jacobs-Hampshire co-op and Cary-Grove will take part.

– Rob Smith

rsmith@shawmedia.com