Lake County team previews
LIBERTYVILLE
COACH: Erik Rogers
RETURNING SWIMMERS: Morgan Dickson (So.), Julia Elsmo (So.), Jessica Domagala (So.), Molly Bruns (So.), Leanna Blair (So.), Mckenzie Laudano (So.), Kaytln Liss (Jr.), Melanie Eichhorn (Jr.), Lindsey Gilbert (Jr.), Kaitlin Amedio (Sr.), Jennifer Gilbert (Sr.), Whitney Mitchell (Sr.), Molly Toohey (Sr.), Abby Leboza (Sr.)
NEWCOMERS: Sophia Lex (Fr.), Maddie Griffith (Fr.), Divika Joshi (Fr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK: Dickson is one of the top distance swimmers in the state. As a freshman last year, she qualified for state in the 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley. Mitchell swam on the 200 medley and 400 free relays at state. Amedio (200 medley relay) and Elsmo (400 free relay) also picked up state experience. The Wildcats graduated stars Maggie Boling and Taylor Rogers. "We are looking for a strong conference showing," Erk Rogers said. "We are also looking to increase our number of state qualifiers from last season. We have great veteran experience to lead the young core of our varsity team."
MUNDELEIN
COACH: Melissa Healy
RETURNING SWIMMERS: Amy Klink (Jr.), Emma Engdahl (Jr.), Alexis Philbrick (Sr.), Ashley Begrowicz (Sr.), Sarah Honda (Sr.), Ally Whitson (Sr.), Alyssa Garcia (Jr.), Alexis Jones (Sr.), Meghan Falconer (So.), Megan Casali (Jr.), Rebecca Salgado (Sr., diver), Angel Vergis (So., diver), Nicole Badofsky (Jr., diver)
NEWCOMERS: Amanda Boothe (Jr.), Brianna Rehor (Sr.), Karrie Kozokar (Fr.), Allie Boothe (Fr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK: First-year head coach Healy, who's been the head coach for the age group/senior swim club, inherits an experienced squad. Both Klink and Engdahl swam on last year's school record-setting and state-qualifying 200 medley relay. Klink also qualified individually for the state meet in the 50 freestyle. The Mustangs graduated Cassie Brueckbauer, who was a state qualifier in the 100 breaststroke.
STEVENSON
COACH: Karl Milkereit
RETURNING SWIMMERS: Madison Blaydes (So.), Michelle Hannon (Jr.), Lauren Pontello (Sr.), Nicole Kang (So.), Monica Bodenstab (So.), Karen Lowry (Jr.), Laura Larsen (So.)
NEWCOMERS: Riley Kirby (Fr.), Julia Wawer (Fr.), Rebecca Hannon (Fr.), Cheryl Xiang (Fr.), Tina Tian (Fr.), Isabella Tomassetti (Fr.), Julianna Holzer (Fr.), Lindsay Pontello (Fr.), Leah Bloodgood (Fr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK: The Patriots graduated diver Kerrin Seymour, who concluded a brilliant four-year career by winning her second state title and accepting a scholarship from Stanford, but they return a future star in Blaydes. As a freshman, Blaydes qualified for state in the 200 and 500 freestyles. Hannon also swam the 500 free at state. The Patriots are buoyed by what could be a great freshman class. Milkereit is carrying nine freshmen, who swim a variety of races. "With the number of new swimmers and young swimmers on the team, we are looking to have a real breakout season," Milkereit said.
VERNON HILLS
COACH: Kedric Greenawalt
RETURNING SWIMMERS: Zoe Eldridge (Jr.), Kristin Schrems (Jr.), Dana Andrea (Jr.), Jane Chen (Sr.), Gena Lopez (Sr.), Lina Alsamsam (Sr.), Kathlene Lau (Jr.), Neelufar Rahimi (Jr.), Grace Lee (Jr.)
NEWCOMERS: Katrina Coco (Sr.), Alex Zhang (Fr.), Alice Zhang (Fr.), Morgan Levy (Fr.), Yulia Pomeranats (Fr.), Annie Novak (Fr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK: The Cougars graduated star Melanie Rowland, who earned state medals in the 200 freestyle (sixth) and 500 freestyle (11th), but Greenawalt calls this season's squad his "largest varsity team in numerous years." Five freshmen and plenty of veterans give the Cougars plenty of swimmers. Juniors Eldridge (200 free, 100 free, 400 free relay), Andrea (50 free, 400 free relay) and Schrems (400 free relay) all swam at state last year. "We have more depth in several events than we've had in a very long time," Greenawalt said. "With the depth, we look to win more dual meets this year to improve upon our 4-7 record from last season. Our loss of seniors, Melanie Rowland and Tammy Olson, hurt us, but our strength is youth and we look to make even more waves next season looking ahead. ... In the end, we hope to qualify more kids to the state meet than last year's team (5 qualifiers in 7 events) and continue to compete with the top competition in our conference at our big invitationals."
WARREN
COACH: Chad Rusk
RETURNING SWIMMERS: Bethany Drebing (Jr.), Shannon McKearnan (Jr.), Micah Pritchett (Jr.)
NEWCOMERS: Jessie Grasty (Fr.), Paige Wells (Fr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK: This is a young squad that will look to improve throughout the season competing against more experienced Lake County schools. "The team adds a promising freshman class to a strong, returning junior class," Rusk said. "The team will look to qualify multiple events to state, in both individual and relay events, on the way to improving its finishes at the conference and sectional meets."