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Girls swimming: Scouting Northwest

BarringtonCoach Alex Mikolajewski certainly made a splash in his first season with the Fillies, as Barrington rolled to a perfect dual meet record in the conference before a dominant victory in the MSL meet and then taking top honors in the sectional meet they hosted. Barrington capped it all with a 10th-place state finish and once again has the kind of team that should be busy on the second state of the state meet. While the loss of state finalist Maggie Emary (Florida State) stings, Barrington has plenty of first-rate returning talent. Flexible freestyler Bridget O'Leary and breastroker/freestyler Allison Penrod have great experience under their belts and return for their senior years. Penrod finaled in the 100 breast and also scored at state in the 100 free, while O'Leary was 7th in the 500 free and 11th in the 200 free. Other competitors who had key roles last year are senior CC Kitzman (breast/IM), distance specialists Maggie and Elisabeth Graves, junior freestyler Becca Galovich and sophomore Emma Pritchett (fly/back). "We are starting our season off well, attempting to work on basic mechanics such as under-waters and not breathing in and out of turns," Mikolajewski said. "As we progress, we will prepare for an exciting end of season if we are able to execute proper workouts and have the right mindset." Joining the varsity effort as freshmen are two sure who would have an all-around impact on just about any team in the state: Emily Bucaro and Lilian Reader.

Buffalo GroveThere's been a changing of the guard at Buffalo Grove, as Tom Mroz has stepped aside and Mike McPartlin steps in as head coach. The good news for the new guy is that there are plenty of familiar faces back in the Bison lineup. Senior distance standout Emily Schulstad figures to lead the way with support from returners Jillian Dombroski (soph., IM), Emilija Jedryka (fr., back/free), Rachel Hanna (sr., breaststroke), Sarah Clark (jr., breaststorke) and divers Vivian Wilson, Gillian Karsten and Patty Sobolak. A generally young team will be counting on freshmen Samantha Menely, Reagan Perkinson, Isabella Larkowski, Sarah Kenny and Maja Pluta to quickly make contributions. "We have some wonderful returning leadership on the team in our captains, and a strong group of freshmen and sophomores with strong backgrounds in the sport," McPartlin said. "The girls are hungry to do well, motivated to improve upon last year, and have been working tremendously hard so far this season. Our team goal is to improve on our conference finish from last year and set the stage for an even stronger program in the future."

ConantThe early returns have been especially encouraging for coach Justin Bickus' crew. Back in action is sophomore Megumi Komoto, the team record-holder in the 100 fly, along with a capable cast of experienced teammates, including seniors Sarah Erne (sprints, breast), Kayla Wartman (back, sprints) and Ashvi Palkhiwala (back). "We have a great group of senior leadership returning who have been around and are doing a great job passing on expectations and keeping the team upbeat and positive," Bickus said. "Overall we are a fairly young group, but many of our younger swimmers have some great potential." Juniors Sydney Arnold and Abigail Hanley were part of another terrific water polo team led by Bickus, and the sophomore class included Arushi Paul (fly), Anika Palkhiwala (breast) and Kaycie Bilicki (breast). Freshmen Ava Puchikanont, Maddie Seeman and Katie Auyeung also have shown promise. "Our first meet had some great swims across the board, with a good amount of the girls posting lifetime bests or times that were surprisingly close to where we left off last season," Bickus said. "For as hard as we've been practicing this year and as sore as the girls say they are, I'm really happy with the results and work ethic to this point."

Elk GroveGrenadiers coach Dave Toler is pleased to begin the season in a new, more competitive phase. He says the immediate future for the program looks very bright and refers to the team's current status as, "not rebuilding, but rebuilt." Returning are many of the key figures from last year's team, including versatile sophomore Natalie Wlodarz along with juniors Rachel Ford and Abby Franke. Joining them are three seniors who had key roles on Elk Grove's best-ever girls water polo season last spring - Emilia Gibes, Melena Herrera and Kaylee Hatfield. But the big difference is an incoming freshman class which includes nine swimmers with experience already under their belt: Kylie Rittle, Michelle Cobirzan, Ava Hennig, Abby Murphy, Anja Restlak, Grace Schiller and Yoana Savova. Toler expects the lineup depth they'll provide to pay immediate dividends. "The entire program is working great, and stepping up to every challenge thrown at them," Toler said. "We are very versatile, excited and anxious to race."

FremdCoach Andrew Kittrell's teams regularly are among the very best in the MSL. That was clearly the case last year with a runner-up finish in the conference meet, and 'Kitty' has another group capable of putting big points on the scoreboard in championship meets once again. It will be led by captains Lauren Savage, MJ Poss, Kristina Buzuloiu and Swathy Karthikeyan. "Their commitment, and the support of our seniors, have made this an exceptional close and fun group to coach," Kittrell said. Standout junior Sophia Kuehn along with Sarah Rothmeyer and Abby Dannebring will give some great depth in the IM, backstroke and freestyle sprints, and Kittrell sees Julia Burca and Megan Pankratz picking up where they left off after a stellar previous year as sophomores in the middle-distance freestyles. In diving, Avery Miletic returns and figures to excel under coach Donna O'Brien's tutelage. And Kittrell is counting on three new faces to help bolster the lineup. "We are excited about freshmen Sarah Berls, Maggie Hewson and Emily Rothmeyer, as they could make the jump to JV/Varsity right away and help out in several events," Kittrell said.

HerseyThe Huskies have been a model of consistency in the Mid-Suburban East, having won the divisional title the last three seasons. They'll be going after a fourth straight in an emotional effort through which they will honor Rob Lindgren, formerly a coach at Hersey and more recently the father of Huskies athletes before cancer claimed his life, and Alyssa Lendino, a swimmer who was killed in an auto accident over the summer. Coach Dick Mortensen reports that his team will honor their legacies all season - Lindgren through caps which include his initials and a purple ribbon, Lendino via a photo of her which will be on deck with the team all season. Hersey certainly has the kind of team that would make them proud. Amelie Smith, a diving state qualifier, is back for her senior year. So is three-fourths of last year's record-setting medley relay - seniors Claire Fink and Julia Gerstung and sophomore Shannon Blumenfeld. Other important returning contributors include seniors Claire Lutz and Amy Kang, juniors Maddie Irvine, Bianca Teves, Isa Hahn and Carly McKean and sophomores Ella Salm and Anna Kreie. And Hersey has a freshman group that will have an immediate impact. Tops among them are swimmers Mollie Lumsden (back, 200 free), Natalie Plewa (breast/IM), Emilia Rykowski (fly/back), Ashley Oiler (sprints) and Olivia Bieniek (breast/sprints). And Mortensen expect freshman diver Alli Blumenfeld to combine with Smithson for a tough 1-2 punch. "We finished third at conference last year, and the girls are hungry to improve on that finish," Mortensen said. "We have numerous girls with state aspirations."

Hoffman EstatesCoach Chris Fetterman's group is putting in the time now in hopes of reducing times later in the season. "We are going to do what we do, and working toward October and November," he said. "We are putting a lot of time in the weight room, and our focus is on the little things, which will translate to big things come sectional time." Senior sprinter Benita Varanauskaite is the most accomplished returning athlete, while Fetterman will be counting on varsity contributions from sophomore Brooklyn Fuscone (diving), freshman Amy Lam (breaststroke) and freshman Stephanie Baranov (IM).

Palatine

Carly Sutherland leads the effort in her first year as a head coach and has a group with plenty of potential. Junior Jane Smith has already demonstrated hers, having placed eighth in the 500 free at last year's state meet; she also excels in the 200 free. Also back with state experience are a pair of divers, junior Sydney Aikman and sophomore Anais Gonzalez Posso. Senior co-captain Megan Obernesser (fly, free) is also a difference-maker, while three freshmen figure to have an immediate varsity impact - Veronika Drab, Alexandra Gorecki and diver Jocie Waddington. Others playing key roles include returners Molly Kleinfeldt (co-captain), Steele Rehberger, Megan Silva, Sonia Hollis, Angela Staples and senior diver Serena Escalona. "This is a young, yet well-balanced team that has already shown dedication and commitment," Sutherland said. "They are goal-driven and passionate about swimming and diving with a mental toughness will drive them forward."

ProspectIt looks like a season of great potential for the Knights, where coach Alfonso Lopez finds a promising blend of capable seniors and strong possibilities from each of the other three classes. "We have a great returning group from last year's sectional team, coupled with a lot of talented freshmen who have made their presence felt in the first couple weeks of practice," he said. "With 63 athletes on our team this year, the competition has heated up, the focus has intensified and our goals have been set." Senior standard-setters include Katie Mueller (sprints), Amanda Baenke (IM/fly), Annie McGuire (distance), Emily Tuczak (breaststroke), Kailee Costello (back), Monica Sanchez (fly/distance), Natalie Huerta (breast) and Katie Diviak (breast/fly) and divers Julia Schroeter and Madison Malone. Also back in action are junior Caitlin Broz (fly/back/distance) and a standout sophomore class including Erin Danielewicz (fly/back/free), Jackie Vierneisel (sprints/back/IM) and Caitlin Bauer (sprints/breast). Upping the ante is a freshman class capable of big things with Morgan Topps (breast/IM/fly), Bella Kowalczyk (free), Grace Dembowski (distance, breast), Joli Babjak (fly), Gurleen Vick (fly) and Payton DeCook (diving). "We're looking to build upon our sucess from last year and improve our finishes at invites, conference meets and sectionals," Lopez said. "The hard work that our team put in the off-season has elevated individual and team goals to push through more swimmers and divers to the state meet this year."

Rolling MeadowsAs coach Monika Chiappetta begins her 21st year with the team, the emphasis is still on continuing to grow the program. In that respect, expect another spurt as better numbers of athletes are showing up than in recent seasons. Many of the top competitors from last year are back as well, including sophomores Ashley Hintz (free/back/fly), Jenna Windhorst (sprints) and Sammi France (back), junior Abby Wiltse (back/free) and versatile senior Kate Mallek (back/IM/breast). In addition, freshman Rosey Piscitello is bringing year-round diving experience. "We have a big team compared to the past couple years," Chiappetta said. "Lots of year-round swimmers that are excited to enter high school swimming." In the early going, Chiappetta says her group is showing great chemistry and working hard, and she's hopeful that everyone benefits from the senior example that's being set. "We are very young," said Chiappetta, "but have great leadership from Kate Mallek. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do together. I am hopeful we can break some records, and end with all best times again this year. Anything on top of that is a huge bonus."

SchaumburgCoach Tim O'Grady is pleased with the overall progress the team is making. Junior Hana Mollin is the team's standard-setter, a versatile athlete who has competed in the state meet and whose best races have been the 200 IM and 100 fly. Junior Lynda Steen will be another key this season, and the Saxons have a big influx of freshmen capable of immediately making a difference. "We're at 16, which I'm pretty sure is the biggest freshman class we've had since I've been here," O'Grady said. Two in particular will make a splash right away: Nina Mollin, Hana's sister, will immediately be among the MSL's top freestylers and breaststrokers, and Madison Dohrn is excelling in the backstroke and the freestyles. Others figuring into the varsity lineup and providing good depth include Andrea Torres, Danielle Alley, Nicole Trojnar, Chloe Hansen, Keilahny Hernandez, Kailey Cordova, Kayle Heumann and Daphne Legaspi. Among the major milestones within reach for Schaumburg are the program record in the medley relay, and state qualification in the medley and 400 free relays.

St. ViatorThe Lions bring back plenty of talent from last year's high-achieving group. Hannah Higginson, Julie Warren, Ritarose Battin and Jayne Bottarini are among the key holders, with solid depth coming from experienced competitors such as Crystal Schuster, Pagie Laskiewicz and Molly Delach. Add to that mix difference-makers such as Elizabeth Warren, Lilly Collins and Olivia Dorshorst, and this looks like a team with plenty of depth and potential to grow.

WheelingAs coach Dan Bell steps in to lead the program, he'll have a familiar face to lead the effort in Meghan Hergert. She's provided a big boost in the sprint freestyles and brings plenty of experience to the game. Another top competitor who's been around the block is diver Anna Emery. Other key athletes include Sara Bialis, Katerina Papaioannou, Joanna Tamayo, Sonya Prilutsky, Amber Akhter, Estephania Diaz, Allison Wong, and Sydney Kyvik.

  Schaumburg's Nina Mollin points her toes as she enters the water with her breaststroke leg of the 200-yard medley relay against Buffalo Grove on Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Buffalo Grove's Jillian Dombroski pierces the water's surface in the 100-yard butterfly against Schaumburg on Wednesday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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