Dulaney going to head of the class

Two years ago Neuqua Valley coach Jason Niferatos knew that his freshman class was loaded with talent and destined to excel.

The best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores and then juniors, and the Wildcats junior class is at the heart of what promises to be one of the top teams in the area.

The latest member of that group to make a great leap of improvement is Ryan Dulaney, who recently chalked up victories in the 200 free in a dual meet against Waubonsie Valley last Thursday and at the Rosary Invite last Saturday

"We always knew Ryan had the talent," Niferatos said, "but now she's swimming with confidence and with the consistency that is helping her fulfill her potential. She's our hardest trainer. She's developing a voice as a leader in practice and she's backing it up with her performance at meets."

Mainly a freestyler, Dulaney is capable of competing at any distance and also as a flyer and backstroker.

"I believe she has a chance to score at state in the 200," Niferatos said. "But she can also swim the 500 and she will be a key person on our relays. She gives us a lot of options."

The coach said that one of Dulaney's great strength is that she can swim back-to-back races on very little rest. Last week she swam the 500 and then three minutes later led off the 200 free relay.

"That's impressive," he said. "And she's also an especially strong finisher."

Niferatos has been pleased with the growth and maturity shown this year by Dulaney and her teammates from that outstanding class.

Breaststroker Amanda Brockmeier, the versatile Wyli Erlechmann and flyer Kayleigh Cannon all hit their stride last year and continue to improve as juniors.

"They're all potential scorers," Niferatos said. "And they combine with some of the other talented people from other classes to make our relays strong. It's fun to watch and we can't wait to see what they will be able to do in the postseason and next year."

Lake Park's super soph:

Lake Park coach Dan Witteveen remembers a meet last year when then-freshman Jennifer Hauser put up her best time in the 50 free and looked at him with total surprise that she had gone that fast.

"We always knew she was good," Witteveenk said, "but we had to get her to believe it."

Hauser made state in both the 50 and the 100 breaststroke, and though she failed to score, it was the beginning of that confidence-building project that is now in full swing.

"Jennifer had an excellent summer with her club team," Witteveen said. "And she made junior nationals, which was a huge accomplishment."

The confidence she built during the summer has carried over to the Lake Park season.

"She's hitting the weight room hard," Witteveen said. "And she's our hardest worker in the pool. She's already beating the times that she swam at the end of last year. Now she believes in herself and her ability to go further. She's going to make some noise this year."

At West Chicago's invite last weekend Hauser won both the 100 free and the 50 free, breaking the meet record in that event.

Witteveen is confident that whatever relays he puts Hauser on will make state.

"She's only 15 and has already become a team leader," Witteveen said. "She's very mature and her confidence and dedication has influenced the other girls and they've really taken their work in the weight room to another level."

A Redhawk ready at any distance:

Naperville Central sophomore Audrey Coffey continues to build on her resume as one of the top distance freestylers in Illinois.

At last week's Rosary Invite the Redhawk won the 500 free and finished second in the 200 free against top-flight competition. She has been a consistent winner in the 500 in invites and dual meets this year.

After winning the 500 at a tough sectional last year, Coffey fell short of finishing in the top 12 at state, but she's definitely a strong candidate to score this year.

"She's getting into the territory of having a good chance to score," said Naperville Central coach Mike Adams. "Audrey is there every day, working hard and improving. Her effort is consistent and she pays the price in the off-season as well."

Adams reports that Coffey scored in the 200 butterfly at junior nationals in the off-season.

"Swimming is an 11-month a year sport and she puts in that effort all year around," Adams said.

He said Coffey is a fine all-around swimmer and has been utilized on the Redhawks' relays.

"But she's an especially strong distance swimmer," Adams said. "A lot of people don't even want to swim the distance events, let alone go after it the way Audrey does. She likes to get out there and go in the long race."