Hauser in a good spot
Jennifer Hauser might be only a freshman, but she swims with the ability and the poise of someone much older.
When the IHSA girls swimming and diving meet begins Friday at Evanston High School, Lake Park's Hauser will be seeded in eighth in the 50-yard freestyle.
Her time of 23.74 seconds in last week's York sectional, put Hauser into a strong position for a good showing this weekend.
First place in the 50 at York went to senior Emily Albrecht of Downers Grove North, whose 23.52 puts her at the head of the line going into state.
"It's a good feeling to be in the eight spot and especially because I'm a freshman," said Hauser, who also qualified in the 100 breaststroke. "I've worked really hard and I'm happy that it's paid off."
But Hauser knows how good the competition will be, and she knows that she was fully tapered for the sectional meet. Many of the girls in contention were only halfway through their taper last week. That can make a big difference at state.
"We felt getting down there was important for Jennifer," said Lake Park coach Dan Witteveen. "So we had her fully tapered at sectional."
Witteveen believes that the strong seeding has helped Hauser and that state will be a growth experience whatever the results.
"Now she believes she can race with the big girls," Witteveen said. "She's very humble. She thinks she's just a good swimmer, but we believe she could be a great swimmer. She sets the tone for our team. She's made the other girls better. It will be cool to see how she responds. Even if she doesn't score she'll come back really hungry and that experience will help her for next year."
"I'll just go out and swim as fast as I can," Hauser added. "I can't control what others do. I welcome everything that happens."
Two other DuPage County swimmers will start with a top 12 seed in the 50 freestyle: Avery Mathew of Waubonsie Valley, who is sixth, and Amanda Burson of Metea Valley, who is seeded 12th.
Downers Grove North, which finished second in the team standings last year, will be led by the top-seeded Albrecht in the 50 and Gabriele Serniute, who will be seeded No. 1 in the 200 IM.
The Trojans, who are looking to win a trophy again this year also have their 200 medley relay and their 200 free relay taking off from the No. 1 slot. The 400 free relay team is seeded sixth.
Downers Grove North's Lindsay Mathys is the third seed in the 100 freestyle.
DuPage County's other No. 1-seeded swimmer is Waubonsie Valley's Hannah Hunt in the 100 breaststroke, and the Warriors' 200 free relay team is seeded second behind Downers Grove North.
Kelly McNamara of Addison Trail/Willowbrook co-op, who finished second at state in the 100 butterfly last year, holds the No. 4 seed going into this meet.
Defending state diving champion Sydney Dusel of Naperville Central will begin in the second seed and Margaret McCarthy of Hinsdale Central will be sixth.