Posted: Nov. 9, 2009

Germantown swimmer Marin Thompson is setting a course for the University of Illinois and NCAA Division I swimming next year.

She would like to go into that new stage of her life with a full head of steam and nothing would do that better than a pair of shiny top three medals from the WIAA state meet in Madison on Saturday.

"To do that would be just great," Thompson said after winning both the 100 butterfly and the 200 individual medley in the WIAA sectional meet at Cedarburg last Saturday. "That would really leave a good impression (on both Illinois and Germantown)."

Thompson and junior Kelly Theis in the 500 freestyle will represent the Warhawks in the Division I state meet at the UW-Madison Natatorium this Saturday at 3 p.m. Thompson was sixth in the butterfly at last year's meet. She is set to sign a letter of intent for the Big 10 Illini this week.

"She really liked it when she went down there," said Warhawk coach Sara Petric. "I told her about how positive my experience was at Northwestern (another Big 10 school). It's such a strong and competitive conference. I really think she'll thrive down there."

Thompson is in heat two of the individual medley and is in the fast heat, seeded third, in the butterfly.

Theis, who just made the state cutoff, will be in the first of four heats (traditionally there are three) in the 500 free.

Behind Thompson's two wins, the Warhawks scored 190 points in the 13-school sectional, good for sixth as North Shore champ Homestead won the sectional with 368.

Thompson won the 200 individual medley in 2 minutes, 12.33 seconds and took the butterfly in 57.55. She was not challenged in either race. "I felt good going out both times," she said.

Theis earned her state berth with a fifth in the 500 (5:18.72).

But in a fast field, this year, the Warhawks could gain no other state berths. It was particularly disappointing for Thompson's fellow senior and multi-time state qualifier Shannon Miller, who turned in good efforts in the 50 free (fourth in 25.6) and the 100 free (third in 55.34).

"It just didn't work in her favor this year," Petric said, "but I am still very proud of her and the work she put in both in and out of the pool. She will be missed next year."

The Warhawks had another near-miss in the 200 medley relay, as the group of Miller, Abby Schabel, Thompson and Theis turned in a season-best of 1:55.02, good for third.

"It's just a very quick state meet," Petric said. "Without the (Blue 70) swimsuits and with so much illness going around, I thought for sure we'd squeak in a few more kids, but it just didn't work out." All three relays had season bests, she added.

Other places by event for the Warhawks included: 200 free-Theis, seventh (2:00.36). 50 free-Tess Van Hecke, 14th (27.87). 100 butterfly-Schabel, sixth (1:03.23). 100 free-Van Hecke, 14th (1:01.49). 200 free relay-Miller, Schabel, Thompson and Theis, fifth (1:44.96). 100 breaststroke-Emily Riesterer, 13th (1:20.17). 400 free relay-Van Hecke, Lindsey and Maggie Smith and Kayla Peplinski, 12th (4:17.29).