Scouting DuPage County boys swimming
Top returning athletes: Naperville North - Grant Bochenski (Sr., backstroke, freestyle), Justin Li (Sr. butterfly); Neuqua Valley - Connor Boyle (Sr., sprint freestyle), Jimmy Senese (Sr., sprint freestyle); West Chicago - Teegan Cook (Sr., butterfly), Will Herwig, (Sr., individual medley, butterfly, backstroke); Lake Park - Ernest Berdychowski (Sr. backstroke, butterfly), Jon Becker (Sr., distance freestyle); Downers Grove North - Charlie Platt (Jr., sprint freestyle, backstroke), Derrick Ryden (Jr., freestyle, butterfly, backstroke); Downers Grove South - Bobby Sayre (Jr., sprint freestyle), Jack Kulaga (Sr., freestyle, backstroke); York - Connor Groya (Jr., freestyle), Matthew Billenstein (Sr., AWD, freestyle); Benet - Connor Hwang (Sr., freestyle), Ricky Maleczka (Sr., individual medley); Glenbard North/East - Eddie Vercruysse (Jr., sprint freestyle), Alex Mack (Jr., distance freestyle); Wheaton North/Wheaton Warrenville South - Dylan Burau (Jr., individual medley, backstroke), Mitchell Hogan (Sr., sprint freestyle); Glenbard West/South - Ryan Heller (Jr., freestyle), Joe Green (Jr., individual medley, butterfly); Metea Valley - Jeddrick Gamilla (Sr., freestyle, breaststroke) George Wang (Jr., sprint freestyle); Waubonsie Valley - Lucas Conrads (Sr., distance freestyle), Brian Knothe (Sr., breaststroke); Naperville Central - Goncalo Wanzeller (Sr., backstroke), Owen Codo (Sr., butterfly); Addison Trail/Willowbrook - Sean Pienkos (Sr., distance freestyle), Cole McGinnis (Sr., sprint freestyle); Hinsdale South - Will Gallagher (Jr., freestyle, breaststroke), Andrew Schmid (Jr., freestyle).
Top returning teams: Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Metea Valley, Naperville North, Naperville Central, Hinsdale Central, West Chicago.
Season outlook: "I'm thrilled there's going to be a season." Naperville North senior and Missouri recruit Grant Bochenski said, which was echoed by many of his cohorts across swimming-strong DuPage County. The only thing is, there is no state series, including a sectional, unlike the girls' season. That doesn't really change season goals, according to Neuqua Valley senior Jimmy Senese. "Goals wise, it's doing the best at the end of the year," he said. "Pool records is a huge thing we want to do. There's no state or placing at state, so everyone wants to do best times." Since there is no sectional, that places most of the season onus on the conference meets, most of which will occur Saturday, March 13. Obviously, contending with COVID-19 lurks in the background, a point brought up by Downers Grove South coach Bryan Szweda. "My main hope is that all of the teams in the conference are able to make it through the season healthy and give our athletes a taste of some normalcy during these difficult times," he said. Added Benet coach Nelly Musso: "The global pandemic has made our swimmers even more appreciative of the opportunity they have to be part of a team. They are showing tremendous camaraderie."