Strike a pose: Breaststrokers take center stage

The breaststrokers are easy to spot on deck at a swimming meet, or even walking down the halls in school, for that matter.

Heels together, toes pointed out. Frog-like.

That specific body profile is key to success in breaststroke, where so much of the power is derived from the kick.

If you take a look on the pool deck on Friday, Nov. 19 at Evanston during the state meet preliminaries, chances are you'll see a great many girls swimmers from the area striking the breaststroke pose.

Emily Fogle, Barrington's two-time state champion in the event, has moved on to a collegiate career at Purdue.

But there's a wealth of capable breaststrokers who seem to be following in her footsteps, and they figure to have an opportunity on the state stage as five the top six finishers last year were seniors. The top returner is Megan Sellers, who finished fourth as a sophomore for Metea Valley.

Palatine's Monica Dorszewski finished 16th in the event last year and seems poised for a big finish in her senior year. She's already been 1:15.3 at 100 meters this fall, which roughly translates to her best yards time from last year.

Another senior, Hersey's Christine Rovani, is also on pace with her best efforts from last season. She's a key to the Huskies' high team hopes and figures to help make a splash in a bid to return to the state meet. In addition to her swimming talents, coach Dick Mortensen calls Rovani the smartest swimmer he's ever coached, "beyond genius."

St. Viator senior Stephanie Nolan, another returning state qualifier, is actually part of a devastating 1-2 breaststroke punch for the Lions. Her teammate, Melanie Battaglia, narrowly missed the state meet last season and has delivered strong early swims.

At Buffalo Grove, count Angela Rodriguez in a group of state hopefuls in the breaststroke. She was consistently close last year.

Prospect junior Jessica Cavaiani also aims to join the established area elites at the state meet. She's already been 1:11 this season, equal to her best from last season, and is on track to take a step up.

In virtually every MSL meet she'll swim, Cavaiani can expect a race from either a state-meet veteran, or, like herself, a legitimate state meet hopeful.

"Honestly, I think that really helps," she said after winning the race against Maine West in a dual last week. "For me, there's just nothing like having a race. You try to swim fast in practice, and you always want to go fast in races, but it's just a lot easier to be fast when there's somebody else fast in the water with you. I love that part of it."

Newcomers such as Schaumburg's Sydney Skibinski - already 1:12 - are only enriching the scene. Fremd sophomore Breanna Anderson is in that same time range and figures to have a chance at season's end.

Meanwhile, back at Barrington, the breaststroke tradition is alive and well. Kayla Widdowson is a proven competitor, and she's joined by a freshman group that's been stellar. McKenna Scheitlin has already been 1:08 this year, and the Fillies can count on Olivia Hoffman and Ashleigh Kleinjan in the event as well.

Does it help to have a force like Emily Fogle to set the tone in a specific event?

"I sure think so," said Barrington coach Jim Bart. "Especially in Emily's case, because of the kind of person she is. She was always so supportive and encouraging, and in swimming it really helps when you have somebody who can show you how it's done."

Heels in. Toes out.