By Brian Savard
EVANSTON, Illinois, March 16. ALL-American sprinter Brian Alden led the Neuqua Valley men to a state title in the perennially competitive Illinois Men's State Championships.
Alden notched wins in each of the sprint freestyle events. He finished the two-lap 50 freestyle in 20.40 and nearly missed cracking the 45-second barrier in the 100 freestyle, clocking a 45.10. Alden, who stands among the nation's top high school sprinters, turned in faster times throughout the season with a 20.16 50 freestyle and a 44.65 100 freestyle. Alden is a Swimming World three-star recruit bound eastward to Pennsylvania State University in the fall.
Matt Elliott from Richwoods also locked up All-American status, nailing winning times in the 200 IM (1:50.93) and the 100 breaststroke (56.94).
The men beat up on each other in the relay events, and as a result, no team won more than one relay.
Philip Devine from Byron posted the top diving score of 459.95. Neuqua Valley's Chris Murray earned the silver medal with a 433.55 showing while Jordan Dyson of Hinsdale South took the bronze with a 432.35 score.
Neuqua Valley edged New Trier in the team competition by a 144-139 score. Glenbrook South settled for third place with 118 points.