Wheaton feeling strong at its core

Sometimes Wheaton co-op coach Jacob Ayers wonders if he is working Duke-bound senior Max St. George hard enough.

"Max swims fast every time he gets in the water," Ayers said. "You can't break him down. He'll go fast no matter what the demands. And he knows how to step up with big time-drops in major meets."

St. George, who finished fourth in the 100-yard backstroke and eighth in in the 200 individual medley at last year's state meet, has the fastest time in the state a 51.22 in the backstroke, according to the latest rankings.

At last week's Hinsdale South College Events meet St. George led a group of that included Evan Sheriff, Danny Sivak and Matt Rogers to a victory in the 400 medley relay.

"These guys have been racing with the best of them, and I believe they can finish top-six at state," Ayers said.

Those four along with distance freestyler Sam Reese and diver Luke Cooperman give Wheaton a nucleus that's capable of making some noise in the postseason in their individual events and in at least two relays.

This group gives the co-op team one of the best core groups it's had in years.

"We're very strong at the top of our lineup," Ayers said. "And we have a talented group of freshmen who are still raw. But the older guys are helping to bring them along, so things look bright for the future."

High hopes for Clasen:

West Chicago/Batavia co-op freshman sensation Garrett Clasen swam under the state cut in the 200 IM in leading West Chicago/Batavia to a second-place finish at last week's Bartlett Invite.

"Garrett can do everything," coach Nicole Cleveland said. "We'll have to decide on what events he will swim in sectionals. You can put him in the 500 or the 50 and he'd be just as successful. He has hopes of someday going to the Olympic trials. He has a great attitude and he has a great mental game. He can just about tell you the time he swims in every race even before you tell him."

Cleveland said that Clasen is so knowledgeable about the sport that he's like having a second coach on the team.

"Not only does he know his problems and can fix them," Cleveland said. "But he watches his teammates and helps them work on their strokes. As he gets bigger and stronger and more experienced, he's really going to be one of the top guys in state."

Another freshman, Ryan Sego is working right along with Clasen and has, according to Cleveland, a good chance to make it to state in the 100 butterfly.

Those two along with freshman Tyler Cook and junior Cooper Hawksin make up a 400 free relay team that their coach believes can qualify this year.

Learning curve:

The Addison Trail/Willowbrook co-op team has been making great strides since the holiday break.

"We have seven freshmen on the team and they had no idea that they had to do to be ready to go from Day One," coach Neil Wahlgren said. "But now they know the work required of them and what it takes to succeed in high school swimming. They started so raw that they didn't have time goals. Now they're getting better with each meet and constantly setting new goals as they go along."

At last week's dual meet against Morton, every varsity swimmer set a personal-best time in his event.

Junior Ethan Wallace, who is the most advanced swimmer on the team, won the 100 freestyle at the recent York Invite.

Wallace has served as a great leader who has been pushing teammates, including fellow juniors and co-captains Josh Kwak and Nick Obrzut, sophomore Jake Roucka and freshmen such as Zack Thompson and Mikey Strycharz, to reach the next level.

Wahlgren said that Wallace is a good bet to qualify for state, probably in the 50 and the 100 free, and he could be leading a couple of relays to h state meet.

"Ethan has a strong stroke and pull beneath the water," Wahlgren said. "He's been hitting his turns well and coming out with power. And he's really motivated to achieve his goals."

Wahlgren is looking forward to this team maturing and accomplishing great things in the future.

"Now that they now about the hard work, I believe they'll have the determination to improve and work on their strokes in the off-season," he said. "If they come in next year ready to be productive from the beginning, I'm excited about what they will be able to achieve."

Working into shape:

Benet coach Sarah Maggio sees big things ahead for sophomore J.T. McAveeney if he can just shake the injuries that have hindered his development so far this season.

At last week's Hinsdale South College Events Invite, McAveeney finished near the leaders in both the 400 IM and the 200 breaststroke and he swam his fastest 50 free, going 22.9 in the 200 free relay.

"He's missed a lot of time through injury," Maggio said. "He's now approaching peak fitness. If he can keep it together physically and add that to a continued commitment to practice hard and work in dry land training, he has a bright future."

The coach believes McAveeny can make state in the 100 breaststroke and the 200 IM.

Nick Michaels and Bram Williams are others with state-level potential, and Maggio is hoping that another person will emerge to make a foursome that can qualify for state in the two free relays.