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Girls swimming: Scouting Northwest

BarringtonBarrington will make a go of it without a pair of graduated standout competitors, Emma Barnett and Andrea Vega. But spare the Fillies your sympathy, because they have both returning elite-level talent and another fresh injection of varsity-ready athletes. Among the returners is Kirsten Jacobsen, who will lead a stellar distance-swimming corps. Jacobsen has just missed breaking the high school state record at the state meet twice in the 500 free, and has been considerably faster than the existing mark of 4:46.66 by Adrienne Bicek while competing outside high school. Jacobsen has won the event in the state meet three years in a row and is also the two-time defending champ in the 200 free. Joining her as top-notch 500 swimmers are sophomores Maggie Menso and Maggie Emary, along with Emma Graves and freshman Bridget O'Leary. Any in that supporting group seems capable of scoring points in the event at the state meet, and all of them would be a big No. 1 on most other teams in Illinois. Coach Jim Bart will make good use of all that freestyle ability, so figure on espeically strong free relays from the Fillies. O'Leary and another frosh, Catherine Kitzman, will help keep the Barrington dual meet lineup strong as the Fillies look like a dominant team in the Mid-Suburban League, and one capable of making waves again at state.

Buffalo GroveCoach Tom Mroz characterizes his team as long on talent — but not so long on experience. That kind of profile usually ends up in a team that progresses steadily over the course of the season, so keep an eye on the Bison in October. Returning seniors include Brina Wahout and diver Danielle Hausfeld, junior Alexa Jedryka and sophs Payton Perkinson, Dasha Yermol and Katie Wasilewski. The newcomers expected to make a splash include Emily Schulstad, Diana Morosan, Samantha Swanson, Deimonte Rutkauskaite and divers Nikki Ruby and Patryca Sobolak. “We are a very young team with a ton of talent both in the water and on the boards,” Mroz said. “Our primary goal is to re-establish the Bison as a major threat in the MSL.”

ConantThe Cougars are reveling in their setting this fall, as the completion of the first of Dist. 211's pool rehab projects allows them a 10-lane training facility with the ability to easily practice starts off state-of-the-art racing blocks. The top returners include sprinter/backstroker Sam Wooley, who claimed a team record as part of a state-qualifying 200 free relay last season, and breastroker/IMer Lea Cejvan. Both are closing in on team records in indvidual events. Others coach Justin Bickus hopes can have an impact include Nia Tsoulos, Paulina Chowaniec and Esther Song. Three frosh — Sarah Erne, Ashvi Palkhiwala and Kayla Wartman — also figure to help at the varsity level right away, and Bailey Hornstein returns with varsity diving experience. “My hopes are that the pool and the ability to train turn into some nice results later in the season and give us an edge where we haven't had one before,” Bickus said. “Overall we're a very young team after losing some great seniors, but it's been fun and interesting to see some new faces stepping up.”

Elk GroveCoach Dave Toler has a challenging season ahead — in the best kind of way. With some 45 athletes out for the team, it looks like the largest squad in Elk Grove's history. The familiar faces include seniors Sara Lasovska and Alyssa Rosenorn and juniors Kate Duffy and Lindsey Hendren, but Toler says it's hard to predict what they'll each be swimming by season's end due to all the moving parts with this group. Back with the team after seasons away are senior Nikki Sugihara and junior Erin Falejczk, and sophomore Abby Farmer, freshman Kaylee Hatfield and freshman diver Anna Sprenger are among the promising younger competitors who could help the Grens take a collective step forward this fall. With a total of 25 freshmen on the roster, it will understandably take some time for Toler to sift through everyone's abilities — a problem he's happy to have. “The flexibility of all these girls will give us a lot of different lineups, and it may take all season to find the best fits,” he said. “There is great potential for strong season finishes at all three levels.”

FremdThe Vikings had one of those magical senior-led seasons last fall, and multiple milestones fell by the wayside as Fremd won the Mid-Suburban League meet and delivered its best-ever final placement at the state meet (sixth). This fall, the challenges are many for Fremd, as those 25 seniors have moved on and the Vikes' home pool is being renovated. The good news for Fremd is that there are several experienced top-line swimmers returning — and coach Andrew Kittrell will relay on his seniors again. Of them, Grace Grzybek has so far had the most success, having qualified to state individually last year in the 100 back and 200 IM. Jiamin Huang, Karolina Urban, Jenessa Islas-Parker, Shae Taylor and Becca Rutkowski will all set the tone in the final year of high school swimming, and there's plenty of help from the other classes. Junior Emily Kini and sophomore Rebecca Ballo competed at the state meet last year, and sophomores Becca Porto and Anna Miller, junior Paulina Pappas and senior Emily Helbing figure to help make the Vikings a complete team. Kittrell is pleased by the great gains by sophomore Emily Bolger, calling her the most improved swimmer on the team. And then there's the freshman class, which will immediately contribute at the varsity level with Lauren Savage, MJ Poss, Kristina Buzuloiu and Allie Kim. Diving coach Courtney Billittier is expecting big things from Emily Zukowski and Carly Goodsite and also likes the talent level from the younger athletes. “We will be young and scrappy this year,” said Kittrell, “and will do our best to compete with the tough teams of Barrington, Prospect, Palatine ... My girls enjoy being the underdogs, though, and we look forward to seeing some great swims as the year progresses.” The Vikings got their season started in style on Wednesday, with a 120-60 victory over Prospect.

HerseyThe Huskies return most of their major contributors from what was a quality team last season. Except for graduated senior swimmers Katie Lutz and Zey Abat and diver Kelly Haines, it will be a familiar crew for Hersey coach Dick Mortensen. Olivia Kusio leads the way in her sophomore year after having qualified to the state meet as freshman in the 100 breast and 50 free; Mortensen says it's possible Kusio could drop the 50 and add the 200 IM at season's end this year. Then there's a nucleus which saw plenty of action last year and will make Hersey tough in duals — Abby Johnston (middle distance), Emma Wilcher (fly/IM), Jane Quinn (500/fly), standout divers Madeline Bovino and Alli Heidrich, Melissa Pollina (back), Mili Meredith (back), Emily Datillo (breast), Maddie Paz (fly) and Sam Jankusky (back). Mortensen expects Prospect to remain a tough customer in the MSL East but looks forward to seeing how his team measures up. “As always,” Mortensen said, “we would like to qualify as many girls to the state meet as possible and use Olivia's experience last year as a freshman to our advantage.”

Hoffman EstatesIt's the Hawks' turn to be displaced, as Dist. 211's ongoing pool overhauls continue and Hoffman Estates' pool gets a dramatic facelift. Coach Chris Fetterman reports that Conant has been a wonderful host, but the total numbers have suffered some as a result of the circumstances. With 18 team members total and 6 varsity swimmers, total numbers isn't a strength. On the other hand, says Fetterman, “We don't need 50 kids to get were we want to go. As long as we stay focused on our goals, we will be right there at sectionals, knocking down some school records and shattering expectations.” Leading the way figure to be senior Amy Cho (sprint freestyle) and junior Casey Rawlings (breaststroke). Paired with soph Renata Widelak (fly) and freshman Benita Vasanauskaite (backstroke), Hoffman Estates has the makings of a fine medley relay. “We are in good shape physically after a great summer of training and will look to shock some people come November,” Fetterman said. “We have the smallest team that we have ever had, but a great group of kids that will compete with everything they have, every chance they get.”

PalatineThe Pirates return three-fourths of their state-qualifying 200 freestyle relay, as seniors Kristin Anderson, Kelsey Hank and Tess O'Brien are back in the fold. So the mood is understandably optimistic for Palatine, as another senior, Mathilde Mogensen, and sophomore Ellis Nelson will be important contributors. Nelson missed most of last high school season due to injury but figures to be a difference-maker. The Pirates also have diver Lizzie Johns, a state qualifier, back for her senior season. Anderson made a big splash with a stunning postseason performance last year, winning the 50 and 100 freestyles at the Stevenson sectional and setting a pool record in the 100. She's a clear threat to score points in both sprints at the state meet in her final high school season. O'Brien strength has been her versatility, and count Hank as a swimmer who has steadily made gains. Add freshman freestyler Megan Obernesser to the mix, and it's clear the top of the Palatine lineup will be tough for most MSL foes to match. “(We) have an exciting season coming up,” said Palatine coach Brittany Berleman. “All the girls, divers and swimmers, chose to do off-season, and have come back stronger than ever.”

ProspectIn a couple of senses, it's a season of transition for the Knights. The two-time defending MSL East champs lost some serious talent from last year's team, including state champion diver Dana Liva and versatile swimmer Betsy Rozow. And Prospect is in its last season of sharing Wheeling's pool, as the Knights are on track to have their very own home waters starting with the 2016 school year. One thing that doesn't seem to be changing: this looks like another Prospect team with exceptional depth and versatility. Among the experienced swimmers coach Alfonso Lopez is counting on are returners such as senior Abby Younger, juniors Samantha Berkley, Janae Dawson, Megan Pfeiffer, Natalia Dmitruk, Gracie Dix and Kate and Emma Colehour and sophomores Katilin Sattley, Mary Dembkowski and Katie Kenny. Freshmen Katie Mueller, Amanda Baenke and Emily Tuczak might be able to help the varsity quickly, and Lopez sees Colleen Doyle, Katie Kenny and Brenna Lukoski as sophs who could do likewise. Diving has plenty of options too, as juniors Maddie Marx and Maggie McCue are back along with senior Amanda Kamal, and newcomers Megan Schmit and Abby Gonzalez join the effort. “We are once again deep — but young, and looking to fill those voids in the varsity lineup quickly,” Lopez said.

Rolling MeadowsIt's a blend of the familiar and the brand new for the Mustangs and coach Monika Chiappetta. Rolling Meadows brings back most of the key performers from last season, including seniors Bailey Rowley (fly) and Jessie Ligenza (breast, IM) along with juniors Teresa Perille (free/back), Besty Zanocco (sprints) and Grace Nykol (distance). The part's the new is the sheer size of the incoming group, as the Mustangs have 15 freshmen out for the team. Of them, Kate Mallek looks ready to make a varsity impact. “Most of them are experienced swimmer and they are all eager, respectful, happy and hard-working,” Chiappetta said of her freshmen. With so many moving parts and one of the biggest teams she's had at Meadows, Chiappetta is eager to see how her lineups shake out. “With more than half our team being new additions this year,” she said, “I am looking forward to seeing how they perform at the first meet and work together as a team.”

SchaumburgCoach Tim Kasper knows where his challenges will be this year, but if his swimmers show an attitude like his, the Saxons will be just fine. “The Schaumburg High School girls swim team is now in numbers,” he says, “but high in enthusiasm.” Schaumburg lost six strong seniors from last year's team, so it figures to be mainly a year of development for the Saxons. The top returners from last year figure to be sophomore Ingrid Hay (50 free, 100 back) and junior Hannah Pearson (200 free, 500 free). Kasper says he'll rely heavily on senior Becca Kasner and Riley Houts along with junior Emily Droege and Brianna Vasquez, sophomore Sarah Nelson and freshman Alex Wimmer for depth.

St. ViatorIn coach Jamie Klotz's second year with the program, expect a bigger team, and a more competitive one. He's got 23 performers, including 11 freshmen, and he says that's resulted in healthy competition for lineup spots. Senior leaders include Jackie Rose, who figures to race in the 100 and 200 free again at season's end but will help in several other individual events in duals, and backstroke ace Gianna Chu. Three competitors who had a big impact as freshmen are also back — Ashley Alteri, Maggie McDermott and Georgia Christy. Klotz reports that Alteri and McDermott have both started this season well ahead of where they were last season, but he's being patient with Christy, who injured a knee playing lacrosse and required surgery in the spring, but has been able to swim well this fall in practices. Julie Warren is a freshman who may crack the sectional lineup by season's end and is already a sub-minute 100 freestyler, and diver Elizabeth Drab has improved and “should be a factor at the end of the year,” according to Klotz. At the very least, the numbers add up to more complete kind of season. For instance, St. Viator was able to field a full team in last weekend's Lake Forest Relays — and those performances put the Lions well ahead of pace. “We swam faster across the board,” Klotz said. “So let's see where it goes, but we could be on pace to do some great things and swim fast.”

WheelingCoach Lisa Poynor will rely on senior captains Adrienne Rozmus and Adrianna Passannante as the Wildcats look for a new identity following the graduation of four-year varsity standout Theresa Godlewski. That would be a daunting task for any program, as Godlewski excelled in the freestyles and backstroke, and could swim just about whatever was needed in dual meets before concluding her prep career with a seventh-place finish in the 100 backstroke in last year's state meet. Fortunately, Rozmus and Passannante are also versatile and will help with the transition. “We are looking to to build and improve our overall team, and our goal is to be competitive at the championship meets,” Poynor said.

  Maggie Menso is part of the elite distance freestyle crew at Barrington this fall. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
  Hersey's Olivia Kusio is back for her sophomore season after qualifying to the state meet as a freshman. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
  Kristin Anderson of Palatine competes in the 100-yard freestyle during last year's state meet. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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