Fenwick High School's girls swimming and diving team is headed to the IHSA state meet after a strong showing at the sectional championship Saturday, Nov. 7.
The Friars competed at the Franklin Park-Northlake (Leyden) Sectional, one of several qualifying sites across the state. Maeve Ryan, a senior, set a new pool record in the 50 freestyle, according to a Fenwick Friars post on X. The post described "outstanding performances" and "numerous personal best times" across the roster. The specific names and events of all Fenwick qualifiers had not been detailed as of Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Ryan showed speed in the 50 freestyle earlier this season. At the Friar Invitational on Sept. 12 at the Dan O'Brien Natatorium, she finished second in the event with a time of 25.64 seconds, according to the Wednesday Journal. Senior Maggie Raniere won the race that day in 25.20.
The Friars placed second as a team at that September invitational with 415 points. St. Ignatius took first with 518. Ryan and Raniere teamed with juniors Audrey Munley, an Oak Park resident, and Sam Stowe to finish second in both the 200 freestyle relay (1:40.17) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:41.15).
Head coach Bryan Lee, in his first year leading the program, signaled in September that the team had room to grow. In coverage published that month, Lee told the Wednesday Journal, "We're still in mid-season, they're still dropping times and trying to figure things out. They've made a great amount of progression, but I can't say that this is their best."
Fenwick was one of several area schools assigned to the Leyden Sectional, according to IHSA site assignments. Oak Park-River Forest and River Forest's Trinity High School also competed at the same site.
State championship prelims are set for Friday, Nov. 13, at 3:30 p.m. at FMC Natatorium at Ty Warner Park.
