Swimming: Katie Cantrell, St. Charles North come together with St. Charles East for crosstown meet

ST. CHARLES – Katie Cantrell stood tall amid a pink ocean of swim caps.

Cantrell, the St. Charles North senior and varsity swim captain, gave an impassioned speech why Thursday's fourth annual crosstown "For Scout Foundation" swim meet was more than just a friendly competition.

Pink, of course, was Scout Cantrell's favorite color.

The vivacious young girl tragically passed away four years ago. Her spirit, through the meet, lived on. Katie, her older sister, helps lead her family's foundation in her sister's honor.

"Thank-you's" and cheers rang in the Norris Recreation facility. On this night, orange/black or blue/black color schemes didn't define school loyalties.

"This meet truly is my favorite meet," said Mallory Jump, a North senior and four-year varsity swimmer. "It's so nice to see both of the teams come together for one thing. Seeing the Cantrells being able to start this foundation is truly amazing and I'm so happy to be a part of it and to support it."

Jump, amid many events, helped take first place with 1:54.26 on the 200 medley relay.

Cantrell took third in the 200 freestyle (2:15.19). Madison Supple, a Saints sophomore, took first (2:08.18).

In the 100 free, North Stars senior Kayleigh Lewis raced to first place (53.72). Saints freshman Sophia Mruk took second (55.14) and Cantrell placed third (56.26).

Lauren Carne, a Saints senior and diver, won the 1-meter dive event with 195 points accrued over six specific dive flips. Saints teammate, Jillian Lobrillo, followed with 190 and North's Ava Atkins' 189.

Carne, a former gymnast for 12 years, switched over to diving as a sophomore. Last Tuesday, she earned a career-high 205 at the Naperville North dual meet.

Her first diving practice was a little strange.

"In gymnastics, you're taught to never land on your head; in diving, you're supposed to land on your head," she said.

Carne is exploring college options, including St. Louis University.

"All the Saints on our team, they're so supportive," Carne said. "They do nothing but cheer me on no matter what."

Saints junior Mary Jania, a two-time state competitor, swam four events, earning her best time of the season (2:09.39) in the 200 IM. St. Charles North junior Megan Armstrong followed in second (2:11.29).

On the 400 freestyle relay, North's Rachel Ponte, Julia Fifer, Caitlin Suda and Cantrell took first with a 3:39.41.

East's Hannah Murray, Mruk, Supple and Jania followed (3:41.77).

"Our team environment really helped me; everyone was cheering [and] it me feel confident about my race," Jania said of the 200 IM.

Note: A correction on a misspelled last name has been made.