Girls swimming: Northwest sectional preview

Girls swimming sectional meets

At Stevenson

When: 1 p.m. today

Field includes: Hersey, St. Viator, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Maine West, Willows Academy, Glenbrook South, Lake Zurich, Stevenson, Prospect, Palatine, Wheeling

Defending champion: Barrington

Teams to watch: Barrington, Fremd, Stevenson

Competitors to watch: Alexa Hamilton, Sam Simon, Sara Fogle (Barrington); Nicole Gill, Heidi Johnson (Hersey); Angela Rodriguez (Buffalo Grove); Sarah Sohn, KC Dix (Prospect)

What they're saying:

"It's a lot tougher. We're just going to try to get as many through to state as possible. Yes, we did graduate a ton, but with the other kids moving on, it opened up spots for others to get an opportunity." -- Barrington coach Jim Bart

"I told them they have to be confident. They put in so much work the past three months. If they give it their all, we're going to be successful. Now's the time to try to beat the state cut. I know they were swimming their hardest, and it doesn't concern me. They'll swim their best." -- Prospect coach Dick Mortensen

"I get real nervous for it and I think that's been my downfall the last few years. I'm going to try to not to put so much pressure on myself and do what I can." -- Prospect senior Sarah Sohn

At York

When: 1 p.m.

Field includes: Addison Trail, Fenton, Downers Grove North, Elk Grove, York, Conant, Hoffman Estates, Fremd, Rolling Meadows, Lake Park, Schaumburg, Willowbrook

Competitors to watch: Kelly Hendricks (Conant); Nika Lauraitis (Fremd)

"We want to swim fast. Someone could look at the competition but I can't change who I'm going to put in the water."

-- Fremd coach Andy Larson

"We have to keep the intensity up. The week after that we can back off and see how well they can do."

-- Schaumburg coach Tim Kasper

-- Kathy Rudolph