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Sports

Edan Scott of Niles West Finishes Sixth in 50-Yard Freestyle at State Swim Meet

Scott is one of only four freshman competing for an individual title at meet.

It's tough enough for a junior or senior to get through the qualifying process to reach the state swim finals, but it's remarkable for a freshman to do it.

Edan Scott, a freshman at Niles West, finished sixth Saturday in the 50-yard freestyle at the IHSA state girls swim meet at Evanston High School. She was one of only four freshmen to compete in the championship flight of an event Saturday.

The state meet is broken up into a Friday night qualifying round and the Saturday finals. All sectional qualifiers compete on Friday to get one of the top 12 spots for Saturday's competition, and then those competitors are separated into a championship flight for the top six swimmers and a consolation flight for the next six.

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Scott managed to reach the championship flight by swimming the 50 in :24.09, beating out senior Megan Marchuk of state champion New Trier for the last spot in the top group.

On Saturday, going against one senior, one junior and three sophomores, Scott swam in :24.27, just behind junior Maureen Barron of Fenwick who finished in :24.22.

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"It was really fun and really exciting,'' Scott said. "I was disappointed with my time today, but this was my first time at the state meet, and there is always next year. I had a chance to be higher up in the race (she made the turn in a tie for fourth), and I was hoping I would take advantage of that, but things happen. I was really nervous, but that it to be expected, right."

"It was a great race, and a great experience for her,'' said Nile West swimming and diving coach Jason Macejak. "For her to be in her freshman year in high school and to end the season in the top six in the state meet, you couldn't ask for anything more than that. This was the first experience for her and the first experience for me as a head coach and I thank her for that."'

The Wolves also had two divers qualify for Friday's competition, but junior Kelly Sanks finished 20th and senior Heather Funai finished 47th and failed to advance to Saturday's competition.

Scott said she managed to get a good night's sleep after the Friday night competition and a good pasta dinner. Her plan for Saturday was to try to improve on her Friday night time.

"I am more interested in trying to get my best time than in trying to get a better place, but getting a good place is great,'' Scott said. "I was hoping to get under 24 seconds but I am happy with what I did.

"She is going to be here a lot,'' Macejak said. "She swam lights out at sectional and next year we will be able to rest her for the state meet so she can swim her best meet here instead of there."

All results can be seen at isha.org.

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