Sports

Boys Swimming: Austin Millard, Oswego co-op enjoy banner day at sectional

Millard qualifies in two individual events and two relays, Oswego sending 11 qualifiers to state

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Oswego Co-op's Austin Millard competes in the 200-yard freestyle during Saturday's Metea Valley Sectional. (Gary E)

By Joshua Welge

AURORA – Austin Millard is more than ready to swim four events next weekend.

He'll have company.

Millard, a junior for the Oswego SD 308 co-op swim team, qualified for state as a freshman and as a sophomore in both the 200 and 500-yard freestyle.

He's going back to Evanston, and will also be swimming the 200 and 400-yard freestyle relay as state qualifiers from Saturday's Metea Valley Sectional.

"As a team I'm so proud of the guys," Millard said. "We've never had a relay going to state and I'm super excited to be going with these guys. It's going to be insane, going to be fun, exciting and fast."

Oswego was fifth (223) in the team standings in a meet won by Naperville Central (301). Waubonsie Valley (286) was second followed by Plainfield North (262) and Neuqua Valley (255.5). It's Naperville Central's eighth sectional title since 2010.

Oswego had 11 state qualifiers, with Marshall Hodge qualifying in the athletes with disabilities divisions in the 50 freestyle (32.11), 100 freestyle (1:12.36) and 100 breaststroke (1:58.38).

Millard, who came in with the top seed time in the 200 freestyle, was edged by Waubonsie's Lucas Conrads 1:41.61-1:41.62, both season-best times.

"Lucas and I always go back and forth," Millard said. "Competing against him is the best thing."

Millard took third in the 500 freestyle (4:41.96), with Oswego's 200 freestyle relay of Nate Skrocki, Dean Ramsbottom, Beckett McGraw and Millard and the 400 freestyle relay of the same four also taking fifth.

"I just want to do what I can do next week," Millard said.

Other Oswego qualifiers included Ramsbottom in the 50 free (fourth, 21.45) and 100 free (47.57 Samuel Petasnick in the diving competition (second, 369.70), Bobby Petersen in the 100 fly (fifth, 51.51).

Millard said he has been swimming the 200 and 500 free since freshman year, but may eventually switch it up in the future.

"I think next year I might switch it up, maybe 100 free, but we'll see," Millard said. "The 200 free I love it, I just love the race. The 500 I like it, it's fun during club but in high school season it's more challenging. It's high demands, yards after practice. But I still love both events."

Millard has high hopes for next weekend's state meet.

"I want to go top three in 200 free," Millard said. "The 500, I don't know, just do what I can do."