CR NORTH:Rock wins SOLs on way to states

The Council Rock North girls swim team earned a fifth place medal Feb. 28 in districts, setting a school record in the 400 free relay. Pictured in the first row from left: Kate Dillione and Madison Meyer. Standing behind them from left are Maggie Dillione and Bizzie Millen.

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Council Rock North just completed a superb season. Finishing the campaign at 12-0 overall, 6-0 in the league, the Lady Indians captured their first Suburban One League (SOL) National conference championship in 11 years.

It’s hard to say how the cards would have played had perennial champion North Penn still been in the National conference. But the Knights jumped over to the Continental conference so the only division power standing in Rock’s way was Pennsbury.

Besting the Falcons, 103.5-82.5, in late January was a significant highlight to Rock’s season, say the girls. North won last year too, despite a last-minute change of venue that occurred due to a problem with the Indians’ pool.

“It was a great feeling to be able to go to their pool and beat them on their home turf,” stated junior Tori Hall of last year’s win.

“Beating Pennsbury gives us a lot of confidence--to be able to say we beat them again means a lot to us,” explained Hall of this season’s victory.

“We’re close and we’re all best friends but when it comes to the meet, it’s Pennsbury versus North.

“It’s the biggest and one of our toughest meets of the season.
“Being able to beat them shows us how deep we are and how excited and level-headed our whole team is.”

In addition to beating Pennsbury, the Rock also came out on top at SOLs, capturing the top trophy in a meet that took place Feb. 13.

“Winning SOLs was absolutely amazing,” said Hall. “We were all speechless; the excitement was unbelievable.”

According to Hall winning SOLs was significant for the team, the school but most importantly for CR North head coach Ted Schueller his first career SOL title.

“We know how much we mean to him and he means everything to us. Being able to give him his first [league title] was just an amazing feeling for me and I know for all the other girls.
“It was just a great day.”
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Sisters Making Waves

The Dillone sisters of Council Rock North are making waves once again this season in varsity swimming. Last year, the sisters helped propel the Rock to states in the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay.

This time, junior Maggie and sophomore Kate Dillone were part of a 400 free relay team that finished fifth at districts held Feb. 27 and 28 at LaSalle University.

Along with Madison Meyer and Bizzy Millen, the four swimmers finished with a fifth-place district medal, completing the event in 3:36.94. The time not only qualified the Lady Indians for states but was also a full second less than the school record and less than three-tenths of a second more than the mark needed for High School All-American status.

Individually in districts, Kate finished fifth in both the 200 and the 500 free with teammate Meyer coming in just behind at sixth in the 500 free. Both are headed to states in those events as is Tori Hall, who grabbed an 8th-place medal at districts in the 100 back.

Tori was the backstroking part of the medley relay team that went to states last year. Kate completed the fly stroke portion of the event with Maggie swimming freestyle. Last season, the 200 free relay team was made up of the Dillone sisters along with Millen and Class of 2008 graduate Jenna Nowicke.

The medley relay team’s time of 1:52.50 was good enough to make state consolation finals in the PIAA’s final event that took place March 2008 at Bucknell University.

In the finals, the girls turned in a time of 1:51.28 but did not medal in the event.