Scouting DuPage boys swimming teams
Top teams: Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South, Lake Park.
Top swimmers: Neuqua Valley: Kevin Overholt, sr.; Mike Lehman, sr.; John Mikuzis, sr.; Hans Peters, jr.; Brien Gerber, jr.; Grant Betulius, jr.; Kevin Cordes, so.; Naperville Central: Ben Reasons, sr.; Chris Depew, sr.; Chris Canene, sr.; Matt O'Brien jr.; Danny Tucker, jr.; Jeff Depew, so.; Mike Greco (diver), sr.; Naperville North: Will Heidler, jr., John Debruin, sr; Jon Leu, jr.; Joel Demuth, jr. Lake Park: Bryant Honsa, sr.; Nathan Schingoethe, so.; Waubonsie Valley: Jack Poletto, sr.; Jim Zuponeck, sr.; Hinsdale South: Jordan Dyson (diver) jr.; Landon Joiner, sr., Blake Leonette, sr., Kevin Onchuck, jr.; Jonathan Wanta, jr.; Adam Jones, jr.; Downers Grove North: Burke Sims, sr.; Ryan Downey, sr.; Dennis Graves, sr.; Casey Ozog, sr.; Downers Grove South: Vince Errichiello, so.; Hinsdale Central: Mike Smith, sr.; Austin Fiasconi, sr.; Taylor Werkema, jr.; Sean Smith, sr.; Glenbard East: Kevin Mihic, sr.; Benet: Connor Binnig, sr.; Wheaton Co-op: Carl Sveen, sr.; Sean Brown, sr.; Collin Hogan, so.; James Eshleman, sr.; York: Alex Webb (diver) sr.; Mark Krolikewicz, jr.
Scouting report: Defending champion Neuqua Valley looks like the class of DuPage County again, despite losing Brian Alden - one of the all-time greats - to graduation. Overholt, who finished second in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 100, has moved into a leadership position. "We're hoping that Kevin can be the state champ in two events this year," said coach Chad Allen. Now without Overholt as his No.2, Allen is looking to a deep group of veterans to produce state points in individual races and maintain the strength of the relays. "After Overholt and Peters, we have 10 or 11 guys competing for relay spots," Allen said. Peters, who was 11th in the 200 free last year, can move up to top six this time. Cordes in the 100 breaststroke and Gerber in the 200 IM could score. But a top-three finish or the possibility of another state title will depend, as always, on the performance of the relays. ... While the Wildcats should win the Upstate Eight Conference, Lake Park and Waubonsie Valley also have some outstanding athletes. Honsa of Lake Park was the state champion in the 500 last year, and Sims of Downers Grove North finished second. That race should be one of the main attractions at state again this year as the top five from last season return to battle it out again. "Bryant has a good chance of winning the 500 and whatever other race he's in," said Lake Park coach Dan Witteveen. "His work ethic rubs off on the other guys." With some help from the relays, the Lancers are a threat to go top 10. Waubonsie Valley is led by Zuponeck, who was seventh in the 100 breaststroke and Poletto, ninth in the 100 butterfly, who are looking to have big senior years. The development of a promising mixture of returnees and newcomers will determine whether the Warriors can return to the Top 20, or perhaps squeeze into the Top 10. ... Naperville North and Naperville Central finished fifth and sixth at last year's state meet and should battle again for DuPage Valley supremacy. The Huskies, who have been in the Top 10 the past three years, lost mainstay swimmers Conor Handley and Jackson Hill to graduation, but Heidler, was sixth in the 200 IM and 10th in the breaststroke, returns as the team leader. "Will looks stronger this year and it will be exciting to see what he can do," said coach Kurt Johns. This year's team, though minus two superstars, will be deeper and feature some outstanding freshmen, who should be in the sectional lineup. "If we come together as a team and work as hard as we can," Johns said. "There's no reason why we can't finish in the Top 10 again. That's our goal every year." The Redhawks graduated scorers Bobby Rickert and Tyler Hsieh, but there is a raft of talent returning including Reasons, who was fifth in the breaststroke, and O'Brien, Canene and Chris Depew, who contributed to scoring efforts in the relays. "Early indications are that the kids are dedicated and they're working hard," said Redhawks coach Mike Adams. "It will be a few weeks before we really know what we have and what's out there." ... The Wheaton Co-op, as it always does, will challenge the Napervilles. Senior leaders Sveen and Brown could score at state. "I'm cautiously optimistic," said Wheaton coach Jacob Ayers. "Our team has caught some fire from seeing how well our girls did this year." ... Hinsdale South, shooting for its eighth straight West Suburban Gold title, has a strong group of sprint freestylers, which bodes well for the relays. Diver Dyson, third in state last year, is contending for the big prize again. ... Downers Grove South is a young team that's striving for a second-place finish in conference. Errichiello is a potential top-twelve finisher at state. ... In the West Suburban Silver, Sims of Downer Grove North is one of the best all-around swimmers in Illinois. "There's no question that he's got the talent and that he gets the most out of his talent," said Trojans' coach Tom Redig. ... Hinsdale Central should be able to crack the top twenty again, but depth will be a problem. Mike Smith is expected to have a breakout senior year. ... Benet, which features state qualifier Binnig, is hoping to crack the first division in the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference. Coach Mike Rigali is hoping to qualify Binnig, at least one other swimmer in an individual event and a relay team.