Team Illinois Wins 3rd-Straight Duel In The Pool Title

2023 DUEL IN THE POOL

• May 6-7, 2023
• FMC Aquatic Center – Westmont, Illinois
• LCM (50m)
• Timed Finals
• Meet Central
• Meet Info
• Results on MeetMobile: “2023 Duel in the Pool”

The 3rd annual Duel In The Pool is in the books, with Team Illinois coming out on top for the 3rd year in a row. The competition was hosted at the FMC Aquatic Center, and  featured all-star teams from the Illinois, Indiana, and Gulf Swimming LSCs, with swimmers ages 11-16. 

The first rendition of the meet in 2019 featured just Illinois and Indiana. Gulf Swimming made its debut at the meet last spring after being postponed for two years due to the pandemic. This year, Illinois came out on top yet again, scoring a total of 1496 points.

Team Scores (Combined):

1. Illinois Swimming – 1496
2. Gulf Swimming – 1234
3. Team Indiana – 1171

12-year-old Abby Moore was one of three swimmers on Team Illinois to win all four of her individual events. Moore opened with a dominating victory in the 100 breast, as she stopped the clock in 1:17.66 to top the field by nearly five seconds. She went on to win the 50 breast (35.71), 50 back (32.40), and 200 IM (2:32.98), all in personal best times. She was also a member of the winning girls 11-12 200 medley relay, contributing a 35.40 breaststroke split. 

14-year-old Brayden Capen also scored a perfect 36 points for Team Illinois, and was also a member of two winning relays. Capen swept the IM events, winning the 400 by almost ten seconds to post a 4:43.51. He also dominated the 200 IM, as he cleared the field by nearly five seconds (2:11.70). Capen successfully defended his Duel in the Pool titles in the 200 back and 400 free, winning in times of 2:06.94 and 4:10.48, respectively.

Burlingtyn Bokos was the third swimmer for Illinois to go four-for-four on victories. Bokos, 16, got her meet started with a decisive win in the 400 IM. She swam a 5:02.55, putting her over ten seconds ahead of fellow Team Illinois member Sadie Murphy (5:12.14). She also won the 400 freestyle, clocking a 4:31.15 to edge Team Indiana’s Maris Emmert by about half a second (4:31.69). Rounding out Bokos’ victories was the 200 IM (2:23.56) and 200 fly (2:21.40).

A pair of 12-year-old boys scored the most points for Gulf Swimming. Cullen Kahl and Alexander Thomas each put up 34 points, winning three events apiece. Kahl won the 100 fly (1:03.29), 200 IM (2:22.50), and 400 free (4:32.60), setting personal best times in all three. Thomas collected wins in the 200 free (2:07.28), 100 back (1:06.07), and 50 back (30.58), also setting personal bests across the board. 

12-year-old Juli Cavalcanti and 14-year-old Micah Tennison were other major contributors for Gulf Swimming. Cavalcanti won the 100 back (1:10.39) and 400 free (4:44.38), with her 100 back time marking a new girls’ 11-12 record for her club (Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club). Her 400 freestyle also moves her to 2nd this season among 11-12 girls, while her 100 back currently ranks 4th.  

Tennison collected a total of 31 points, highlighted by his victories in the 200 free (1:59.96) and 100 free (54.56).

Indiana was led by 14-year-old Emily Wolf, who scored a total of 36 points, and 12-year-old Haley Hunter, who amassed 34 points. Wolf dominated the mid-distance freestyle events, winning the 200 free (2:06.63), 400 free (4:28.99), and 800 free (9:20.37). She added her fourth victory in the 200 fly, swimming a 2:22.33 to top the field by over a second. 

Hunter collected three wins and a runner-up finish in the sprint events. She logged personal best times in the 200 free (2:15.10), 50 free (28.24), and 100 free (1:01.55), as well as took 2nd in the 50 fly (30.78). 

Josh Bey also tallied 34 points for Indiana, fueled by his three victories. He won the 400 IM in 4:35.77, setting a best time by three seconds. He also took first in both breaststroke events, swimming times of 1:05.05 and 2:21.26, respectively.