Scouting: Fox Valley area girls swim teams
Bartlett/Streamwood co-op
Coach: Nancy Kalush (4th season)
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Traci Reiner (butterfly/freestyle), Stephanie Hasenberg (freestyle); juniors: Erinn Felix (freestyle), Katie Popovich (backstroke/butterfly), Ashley Miceli (freestyle)
Top newcomers: Freshman: Hannah Scmitz (freestyle/breaststroke)
Outlook: The Bartlett/Streamwood co-op enters the water in 2008 behind a core of returns including senior distance swimmer Stephanie Hasenberg who qualified for state as a sophomore before missing her junior campaign. "Stephanie looks great," said 4th year coach Nancy Kalush. "She is close to the state cut already." Also returning strong are Traci Rainer, Erinn Felix Katie Popovich and Ashley Miceli who will combined to solidify the butterfly, backstroke and freestyle events. The co-op will look to finish above average in the Upstate Eight and shoot for best times in the postseason. "Both our team captains and our seniors are providing excellent leadership," said Kalush. "One strength for our program will be our numbers as we have 40 girls out this season." Kalush will look for individual improvements with each race and expects a concrete finish.
Elgin/Larkin co-op
Coach: Rick Andresen
Last season: 2 wins - last in Upstate Eight Conference
Top returning athletes: Senior: Katie Jowaski (sprint freestyle/butterfly); juniors: Sarah Glowinski (breaststroke/IM), Lauren Sprague (200 freestyle/200 IM/backstroke), Alex Haugan (distance freestyle); sophomore: Lisa Rizzo (freestyle/butterfly)
Top newcomers: None
Outlook: With just 10 girls out this season, the Elgin-Larkin coop will have to fight for victory. However, familiar faces return in the breaststroke and IM with Sarah Glowinski, the 200 freestyle, backstroke and IM in Lauren Sprague and in distance events with Alex Haugen. Also back are Katie Jowaski and Lisa Rizzo. "We don't have a lot of experience," said longtime coach Rick Andresen. "With numbers down, we will look to improve on individual bests. We will have fun and see what kind of individual improvements we can get out of this group."
South Elgin
Coach: Meghan Kubek (2nd season)
Last season: 1-10
Top returning athletes: Senior: Rachel Musnicki (breaststroke); sophomores: Alex Moore (backstroke), Nina Hasemann (butterfly/500 freestyle)
Top newcomers: Freshmen: Hannah Reuger (freestyle), Hayley Erath (butterfly/diving), Andee Wisler (breaststroke/IM)
Outlook: Collecting the first win in program history last season, South Elgin expects to reach new success in the weeks ahead. In addition to returning talent, the Storm welcomes several young swimmers to the roster who should each contribute quickly. "The season should go very well," said coach Meghan Kubek. "Our team has grown a lot. Overall, there is a new and improved atmosphere here." According to Kubek, her returns are not only getting work done in the water, but many have also stepped up to provide much needed leadership for a young team. South Elgin hopes to not only be competitive season-through, but they will also look to qualify multiple swimmers for state. "Our relay teams will be very strong," said Kubek. "If we continue to push forward and work hard, we may see girls make state in several events."
Crystal Lake co-op
Coach: Lindsey Mernitz
Last season: 1-8, 0-5 Fox Valley Conference
Top returning athletes: Senior: Kelly Hogan (freestyle/200 IM); juniors: Alex Hartsel (100 backstroke/200 IM), Jennifer Hartsel (100 breaststroke/200 IM); sophomore: Claire Walker (100 butterfly/200 IM)
Top newcomers: Freshmen: Kelsey Nornberg, Maddy Shepley
Outlook: After some struggles last year, the Prairie Ridge/Crystal Lake Central/Crystal Lake South trifecta will look to return to the winning tradition of year's past. Helping them along will be returning swimmers Kelly Hogan (Prairie Ridge), Claire Walker of Crystal Lake Central and the Hartsel sisters, Alex and Jennifer of Crystal Lake South. "Our returns have each gotten faster and stronger," said coach Lindsey Mernitz. "Their abilities will make us strong in the butterfly, the 200 individual medley and the 200 freestyle." Hogan returns to the pool after sitting out the 2007 season with an ACL injury. "Kelly looks great," said Mernitz. "I hope to see her go far this season." With individual goals in place, Mernitz would like to see each swimmer achieve their own highs which will only better the whole team performance. "As a team, we will do our best and do what we can in the pool. The girls are working hard, spirits are up and they will each strive to achieve any goals that we put in place."
Jacobs
Coach: Shawn Brodie
Last season: 2nd place in Fox Valley Conference
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Emily Susmarski (200 freestyle/100 freestyle), Nicole Recinella (butterfly); junior: Chelsea Conzelman (distance freestyle); sophomores: Amanda Podczerwinski (500/IM/backstroke), Lindsey Pankau (breastroke/IM), Kristen Horney (sprint freestyle)
Top newcomers: Freshmen: Tatiana Reinbrecht (sprint freestyle/butterfly/backstroke), Molly Messner (freestyle/backstroke)
Outlook: With a ton of power and talent in both the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle, the Golden Eagles will look to soar into contention for a Fox Valley Conference title in the upcoming weeks. Finishing 2nd in FVC action last season, Jacobs returns a bevy of girls who worked hard in the offseason looking to better last year's results. In senior Emily Susmarski, the Golden Eagles have a 2-time Fox Valley Conference champion in the 200 freestyle hoping that the third time's a charm. Amanda Podczerwinski was named newcomer of the year, and also earned championship honors in the 500 last season. "Our seniors are doing an excellent job leading and there is just more energy in the water this year," said coach Shawn Brodie. "We have some high goals in place, and I think we should be able to achieve each of these goals." Already, Brodie notes several swimmers are close to personal bests and with a late start to the season, he is pleasantly surprised. "With our program, hard work and daily improvements are most important," Brodie said. "It is going to be a fun year and we will see some great swims in a number of events."
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Kendra Everett (6th year)
Last season: Fox Valley Conference champions
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Karlee Monson (backstroke), Kali Williams (sprints); sophomore: Courtney Raske (butterfly)
Top newcomers: Freshmen: Colleen Champa (breaststoke/IM), Danielle Cross (freestyle/backstroke)
Outlook: Coming off a Fox Valley Conference championship season, head coach Kendra Everett is optimistic about a repeat. Having lost just one swimmer from that 2007 roster to graduation, Dundee-Crown could be even more difficult to defeat in the weeks ahead. "Our girls back are much stronger and we are currently injury free," said Everett. "We also have some great additions which have been very pleasant surprises, and we are really expecting good things." Among those additions is freshman Colleen Champa, younger sister of the former 200 IM phenom, Teresa Champa. "Colleen is already very close to state time in the IM," said Everett. Dundee-Crown will also be strong in the backstroke with Karlee Munson leading the pack. "Karlee is after a state berth," said Everett. While the Chargers expect a ton of individual success behind a number of contributors, their greatest strength will be team camaraderie. "The most impressive thing to me is the work ethic here," Everett said. "It is the best I've seen in six years, and it is inspired by the closeness of this group. Everybody supports one another and pushes one another to be better." Behind that chemistry, watch for some successful relay teams, in particular, the medley relay.
Cary-Grove
Coach: Beth Donatucci (1st season)
Last season: 4th Fox Valley Conference
Top returning athletes: Seniors: Kimberly Kalenda (50 freestyle/100 freestyle), Julie Oswald (100 backstroke/100 freestyle/relays), Megan Byrd (100 breaststroke/50 freestyle), Emily Pearl (100 butterfly/200 IM), Katherine Henke (50 freestyle/breaststroke), Courtney Mega (backstroke/IM), Lindsey Petersen (backstroke/200 freestyle)
Top newcomers: Freshmen: Molly English (500 freestyle/50 freestyle), Lauren Curtis (100 butterfly/200 freestyle)
Outlook: Fueled by seven returning seniors, Cary-Grove looks to make waves in the Fox Valley Conference this season. FVC champion in both the 50 and 100 freestyle last year as well as a co-MVP in the Fox Valley, Kimberly Kalenda returns for her senior campaign. Having qualified for state in the 100 free, Kalenda will look for back-to-back bids in the postseason. With so much talent aboard, expect to see the seniors competing in all events early on before settling into their chosen slots. In addition, expect to see their wisdom rub off quickly on newcomers Molly English and Lauren Curtis. "Coming in new this year, one thing I noticed is that these girls are very team oriented," said new coach Beth Donatucci. "They really push one another which is inspiring to see, and our seniors have really taken the new girls under their wing." New to the program, Donatucci has received everybody's times from last season and will look to improve those finishes in the coming weeks. "I hope to have a great season competing, but more important will be seeing these girls improve themselves daily," said Donatucci. "The majority of returning swimmers have worked hard all summer and come in stronger than last season." The biggest threat to opponents from C-G will be the 200 and 400 relay teams which Donatucci expects to be extremely strong. Individually, they might surprise some teams. "These girls have put a lot into this program and are very excited to get in the water," said Donatucci. "They are a very enthusiastic about the sport and their mindset makes my job easy."