Scouting DuPage County girls swimming
Top teams: Benet, Downers Grove North, Hinsdale Central, Naperville North, Naperville Central, Wheaton co-op.
Top swimmers: Addison Trail/Willowbrook co-op: Carly Dvorak, sr. Colleen Joorfetz, sr.; Sara Pardue, jr.; Benet: Tori Berschy, so., Cat Cortesio, sr.; Allison Pavlik, so., Colleen Webb, sr.; Maddi Webb, jr.; Downers Grove North: Emma Buckley, sr., Haley Sims, jr., Emily Wilkinson, sr.; Downers Grove South: Alexis Spivak, sr.; Glenbard co-op: Mary Floren, fr.; Connie Hsu, so.; Sara Taege, jr.; Hinsdale Central: Abby Grilli (diver) sr.; Jenny Heidkamp, so.; Sara Shaner, sr.; Meredith Sweeney, sr.; Kristen Worthington, so.; Lake Park: Taylor Johns, so.; Metea Valley: Erica Carvell, so.; Lizzie Hollopeter, so.; Jenny Horne, fr.; Megan Sellers, so.; Naperville Central: Rosalie Fidanze, sr.; Lauren Gunn, so.; Vanessa Hendrix, sr.; Vanessa Lin, sr.; Naperville North: Caroline Chang, sr.; Jennifer Law, so.; Lexi Nash, jr.; Marcey Wennlund, sr.; Emma Williams, sr.; Neuqua Valley: Amanda Childs, so.; Maggie Maxstadt, so.; Lauren Mikulecky (diver), jr.; Waubonsie Valley: Andrea Baumgartner, sr.; Julia Carroll, Sr.; Taylor Eggenberger (diver), so.; Vicki Munson, sr.; St. Francis: Alex Niemi, so.; West Chicago: Kelly Dunn, jr.; Yvette Kruk, fr.; Wheaton co-op: Meghan Bagley, jr., Cindy Jezuit, jr., Jessica Wellick, sr.
Outlook: Megan Sellers of Metea Valley and Connie Hsu of Glenbard co-op are names to remember. Both qualified for state last year as freshmen and Sellers, even finished fourth in Illinois in the 100 breaststroke. But this year they're both pioneers, serving as the centerpieces for their high school start-up programs. Sellers, who spent her freshman year at Waubonsie Valley, has transferred to the new Metea Valley High School and she's a contender for a state title in the breaststroke.
Hsu, of Glenbard South, qualified in the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly as an unaffiliated state entrant. She will lead the new Glenbard co-op team, which draws swimmers from all four Glenbard schools. Hsu had an outstanding off-season. The two sophomores will be among the best in Illinois.
DuPage boasts four of last year's top 10 teams from the state meet. Hinsdale Central (second), Waubonsie Valley (fourth), Downers Grove North (fifth) and Benet (10th) all finished among the elite, while Wheaton co-op, Naperville Central and Naperville North went top 30, so there's no shortage of outstanding teams in DuPage County.
The Red Devils have a number of outstanding performers from their scoring relays, including Meredith Sweeney, Jenny Heidkamp, Sara Shaner and Kristen Worthington and, as a bonus, they also have the No. 3 diver in the state, Abby Grilli. "We surprised ourselves, let alone everyone else," said Hinsdale Central coach Bob Barber. "We lost a lot of swimmers from a good senior class, but depth is one of our strengths, so we think we have the people to step up."
Waubonsie lost some key people to graduation and, of course, Sellers to Metea Valley, but first-year head coach Katie Peterson has a solid veteran nucleus led by Andrea Baumgartner, Julia Carroll and Vicki Munson, while state-qualifying diver Taylor Eggenberger transferred from Neuqua Valley. "Our senior leaders are all looking much faster than last year," Peterson said. "Even though we lose some of our good sophomores to Metea Valley, we've got a good bunch of young swimmers who will be major contributors by the end of the year."
Downers North, which had its best year, loses state 200 freestyle champion Adrienne Bicek but returns another superstar in Haley Sims as well as all-stars Emma Buckley and Emily Wilkinson. "When you have the talent we have, the goal is to hit time standards," said Trojans coach Judy Busse. "We'll go for the senior national cuts, and if a state title comes along with that, that's great."
Benet's top-10 finish was especially impressive considering the Redwings didn't have a home pool, but even without their graduated great Sarah Galvin, they're looking to join the A-list again. Tori Bertschy, Cat Cortesio, Allison Pavlik and the Webb sisters, Colleen and Maddi, have all been there and will help push their teammates. The Redwings have better depth than last year. The development of the younger swimmers will be the key. "The girls who went through last season are going in feeling good because they achieved the goals they set." said Benet coach Nicole Kothe. "They proved that it's not about thefacilities, but about the girls and their determination and talent."
The DVC will be a dogfight among Wheaton co-op, last year's champion Naperville North and the always powerful Naperville Central. The Tigers return most of last year's team led by Jessica Wellick, who finished fourth in the 500 freestyle, while the Huskies, who feature Emma Williams (seventh in the 100 butterfly), are deep, experienced and they add a strong freshman class. Naperville Central doesn't have the super leader that its had in recent years, but first-year coach Sue Welker has a number of talented freestylers and many options in most events. If the Redhawks can accelerate some of their youngsters' development in the other strokes, they will be a factor in the postseason. West Chicago could provide some surprises in the DVC. They're led by one of the premier swimmers in the state in Kelly Dunn, and a future great, freshman Yvette Kruk joining her.
Key dates: West Chicago Invitational, Sept. 19; Fox Valley Invite, Oct. 23-24; conference meets, Oct. 31, sectionals, Nov. 14, state meet, Nov. 20-21.