Cary-Grove’s Maggie Bendell is state diving runner-up: Northwest Herald sports roundup for Saturday, Nov. 11

Girls Swimming and Diving

IHSA State Meet: At the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Cary-Grove senior Maggie Bendell took second place in diving at the meet on Saturday.

Bendell, the defending champion, scored 479 points, which was just behind Loyola Academy’s Greta Kavanagh, who won the title with 483.80.

“I came in to work hard and do my best,” Bendell said. “But I had already won (last year) so I didn’t feel like I had to do it again. It was nice that someone else was able to experience (winning the state championship).

“My last dive today was one of the best I’ve ever done, so it was great to go out on that one.”

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Rosary’s Elizabeth Nawrocki competes in the 100-yard breaststroke championship heat during the IHSA Girls State Swimming and Diving Championships at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Sandy Bressner)

Bendell’s last dive was a forward 2 1/2 somersault in pike position and scored 53.30, easily her best score of the finals.

In the swimming competition, Crystal Lake South co-op’s Abby Uhl, a junior at Prairie Ridge, took fourth in the 200-yard freestyle in 1:51.91.

Uhl also took 16th in the 100 freestyle in 52.04 and anchored two relay teams that medaled. The 400 freestyle relay of Bella Fontana, Avery Watson, Mackenzie Resch and Uhl swam 3:30.39 for eighth place.

The 200 freestyle relay team of Fontana, Resch, Watson and Uhl swam a 1:36.44 for 12th place.

Marian Central sophomore Abby Hill had a 4:57.45 to take fourth in the 500 freestyle. She was ninth in the 200 freestyle in 1:52.86.

Burlington Central’s Kate Farrell swam a 1:52.25 for seventh in the 200 freestyle. Farrell also took ninth in the 500 freestyle in 5:03.12 out of the consolation final.

Central’s Hannah Johnson took seventh in the 500 freestyle in 5:05.28 in the championship final. She placed 14th in the 200 free (1:54.22).