“It’s typical of her to rise and just go as fast as she can go,” Chesterton coach Kevin Kinel said.
And the Trojans’ confidence in her likely will keep building with efforts like Saturday’s at the Highland Natatorium. Kabacinski broke a pool record with her time of 23.85 in the 50 free, took home another first in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.64), and contributed to firsts in the 200 free and 200 medley relays. that performance helped lead the Trojans to a convincing 382-285 victory over Munster. Lake Central took third in the eight-team event.
“It’s really awesome — Chesterton hasn’t had that record, I think, since 2003 or 2004 — so keeping that Chesterton tradition alive is good,” Kabacinski said.
That Chesterton tradition includes back-to-back fourth-place finishes at the state meet, each time missing third by a single point. last year the Trojans were edged by Munster. So, eight total firsts at Saturday’s meet is one of the notches on the measuring stick that Kinel will use while preparing his team for the upcoming postseason.
“This is always a good meet, a good challenge,” he said. “All eight of the teams that are here, are great.
“It’s a gauge, we go to a lot of good invites, throughout the year, and this is one of them,” he said.
Along with Kabacinski, Julia Campbell also had a strong showing with individual wins in the 100 free (54.81) and 200 free (1.57.86) and swimming the third leg of the 200 free relay.
Munster coach Julie Feingold feels her team had a strong performance and credits Chesterton’s victory to depth.
“I think we swam really well, considering I didn’t rest them very well. And (I) have been beating them up in the weight room,” Feingold said.
Munster junior Brittany Gilbert had victories in the 100 fly and 100 back, while contributing to a win in the 400 free relay.