Pats ready for more success
Even if no member set foot in a pool this season, Stevenson's girls swimming team would have an impressive list of accomplishments to look back on.
Two years ago, the Patriots earned their first top-10 finish at state since 2000, and followed that up with a fifth-place spot and a North Suburban Conference title last year.
Senior Ashley Wanland is the state record holder in the breaststroke, a two-time state champion and has qualified for next June's Olympic Trials. Kerrin Seymour won the state diving competition as a freshman last season. Martha VanLieshout, April McKee, Tori Alland, Erin Cunningham, Melanie Koto, Michelle Pliskin, Sarah Dolejs and Sam Stenn have all been state qualifiers.
In total, Stevenson athletes competed at state in 11 events last year, and only diver Laurel Heath graduated from that group. The rest are back with expectations of again ranking among the best teams in Illinois.
"They have all worked hard over the last year to be ready for this season," Stevenson coach Karl Milkereit said. "It could be a very special year for Stevenson swimming and diving, and the girls are ready to take that journey."
While Stevenson enters the season as the clear favorite in the NSC, this is the first time ever that every team in the conference returns state qualifiers -- and all five area schools are likely to have athletes competing at that level.
Libertyville beat perennial power Lake Forest last year to win a sectional title. Four girls from that Wildcats team are now swimming at the college level, but underclassmen made up the majority of the roster. Senior Dana Davidsen and junior Emily Ott have been team leaders for years, diver Brittany Tazzioli had a great season, and sophomore Maggie Boling already has a state berth on her resume.
At Mundelein, new coach Jenny Curry inherits a team that returns most of its top swimmers. Sarah Falconer went to state last year, and Melanie Spedale, Michelle Lau, Yesenia Rossi, Alice Denny and Cassie Breuckbauer lead an experienced group.
On the diving side, where the Mustangs are perennially strong, Polly Hirt and Taylor Reckert are back and junior Becca Schmidt takes the third varsity slot.
"We hope to see good performances from our upperclassmen, but also some time drops from a big group of freshmen," Curry said.
Warren's Kristen O'Connor won the 50-yard freestyle at sectionals last year, and joins Ally Calewarts, Megan Matheney and Jordan Flary on a team with a chance to keep improving.
"We want to have the most state qualifiers in the school's history," Blue Devils coach Erik Rogers said. "We expect several girls to make a push for the state meet come the end of the season."
Kedric Greenawalt takes over as swimming coach at Vernon Hills, and has some good talent to work with. Melanie Rowland placed 11th in the state in two events as a freshman, becoming the first Cougars swimmer to make state. She's back, as are Melanie Lecaroz, Ashley Lenz, Maddie Kleinhample and Kelly Steininger.
Girls swimming at a glance
Top area teams: Stevenson, Libertyville, Mundelein, Warren, Vernon Hills
Top returning swimmers: Ashley Wanland, Martha VanLieshout, April McKee, Tori Alland, Erin Cunningham, Sarah Dolejs (Stevenson), Dana Davidsen, Emily Ott, Maggie Boling (Libertyville), Sarah Falconer (Mundelein), Kristen O'Connor (Warren), Melanie Rowland (Vernon Hills)
Top returning divers: Kerrin Seymour (Stevenson) Brittany Tazzioli (Libertyville), Polly Hirt, Taylor Reckert (Mundelein)
Scouting report: Stevenson returns all its top contributors as the Patriots try to repeat as North Suburban Conference champions and build on their fifth-place finish at state. … Libertyville graduated a strong group, but returns three state qualifiers from its sectional championship team. ... Mundelein will again feature some top divers, and has a deep group of returnees. … Warren hopes to qualify the most state swimmers in school history, and has O'Connor looking for a repeat performance. … Rowland became the first Vernon Hills swimmer to make state last year, and returns to an experienced group this year.
-- Jeff Fleischer