Girls swimming: Scouting DuPage County and Fox Valley
ADDISON TRAIL-WILLOWBROOK CO-OP
Senior Audrey Morgan returns as a state qualifier.
Others back are seniors Gavyn Bumba, Lauren Barager, Bina Sadiku, and Abby Schnittker along with juniors Naomi Aldana, Tabitha Smaczny, Alyssa Wiemerslage and Emily Moy.
Coach Dan Fernandez's troops were third in the West Suburban Gold Conference a year ago.
"We want to improve our place in the conference and send varsity swimmers to state," said Fernandez.
BARTLETT
Junior Stephanie Adamson qualified for the state meet in the 50 freestyle as a sophomore.
Returners are senior Emillia Tredota, junior Abi Rycerz and sophomore Kaylee Olson.
Newcomers hoping to make a splash are freshmen Kaitlin Albertson and Soleil Rycerz. The Hawks are hoping to improve on a second-place finish in the Upstate Eight and eighth in the sectionals.
"We have the addition of two good swimming programs like West Aurora and R-B (Riverside-Brookfield) and we have to step up big time in the pool to stay competitive," said coach Michael Malanson. "We have newly added depth from a promising freshman class which help us with more points at conference and sectionals."
CARY-GROVE
Scott Lattyak, who begins his 15th season at the helm, is hoping his Trojans can improve on a third-place finish in the Fox Valley Conference and 32nd in the state.
Seniors Kacey Gruen, Mary Brown and Emma Black along with juniors Sofia Iskra, Ella Urbates and sophomore Olivia Nagel provide experience for the Trojans.
Newcomers include freshmen Nora Urbates, Madison Duncan, Brooklyn Rahn and Avery Brown.
"We want to move up in the conference and win the conference," said Lattyak. "We want to come together as a team and get some relays to state."
CRYSTAL LAKE SOUTH
In a co-op with Prairie Ridge and Crystal Lake Central, coach John Valentine’s team is led by senior Abi Uhl (Prairie Ridge), who was fourth in the 200 freestyle in 2023. Also back is state qualifier Bella Fontana (CLS).
Others returners are senior Ashley Celentono (CLS), juniors Emma Sig (Crystal Lake Central), Penny Brereton (CLS) and Emely Rudsinski (PR) and sophomore Lyla Meyer CLC).
Newcomers include freshmen Eloise Brereton, Kendall Kramer and Isabella Ralacion. All three attend school at Prairie Ridge.
Valentine's troops were 14th in the state with 48 points.
"We hope to give Cary-Grove a run for the FVC," said Valentine.
D300 STORM
The co-op of Hampshire, Dundee-Crown and Jacobs is coached by Rebecca Dziubla and second in the Fox Valley Conference and fourth in the St. Charles North sectional last year.
Sophomore Rachel Johnson (Jacobs) placed 18th in the state in 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.
Other state qualifiers returning are junior Kaitlyn Thomaszewski (Jacobs) and sophomores Tessa Iverson (Hampshire) and Eliana Niemi (Jacobs).
Returning with varsity experience are senior Carly Pierzchalski (Jacobs) and sophomore Olivia Burczynski (Dundee-Crown).
Newcomers include senior Maggie Nowak (Dundee-Crown) and freshman Julia Zagata (Jacobs).
"A lot of girls hit the ground running and we saw many accomplishments due to their hard work," said Dziubula. “We are looking for ways to ensure the medley qualifies for state and the 400 relay team repeats ass state qualifiers. We would like several individuals to advance to the state meet.”
DOWNERS GROVE SOUTH
The Mustangs under 31st-year coach Paul Krick have won the West Suburban Conference Gold championship 11 years in a row.
Back for DGS are seniors Keira McLaughlin, Jane Kane, Ashlyn Mesker, Morgan Molsky and Skylar Swanson, junior Ellysen Enriquez and sophomore Cameron Mesker.
GLENBARD SOUTH-GLENBARD WEST CO-OP
Returners for the co-op team coached by Miles Ritchie include seniors Ruby Metz (West), Ella Formanski (West), Eva Vogel (South) and Meghan McNally (West) along with Molly O’Connell (West) and sophomores Milena Wlodarz (South) and Harper Ullman (West).
"We want to develop swimmers within the program and provide opportunities to compete in an extremely strong conference (WSC Silver)," said Ritchie.“ We want to grow participation in the program."
HINSDALE CENTRAL
Veteran coach Bob Barber seems to have the talent to improve on last seasons fifth-place state finish with 144 points.
Barber, 190-50-1 in dual meets in 24 years, led the Devils to a second place finish in the West Suburban Conference Silver and second in the sectionals.
State qualifiers back are senior Kamille Zinis (13th, 100 freestyle), sophomores Karina Miller (14th, 100 backstroke, 18th, 100 freestyle), Lilia Barber (19th, 50 freestyle), and seniors Meghan Martell (24th, 1-meter diving) and Siena Allegra (28th, 100 breaststroke).
Returners for the Devils are seniors Isabella Brubaker and Fiona Hawk along with junior Annie Rocco.
"We want to be as competitive in the conference with LT (Lyons Township) and finish in the top two in the conference and sectional and Top 10 in the state," said Barber.
HINSDALE SOUTH
The Hornets return senior Lanie Chen, who was a state qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestyle.
Others back for South are juniors Maya Szafran and Elle Urban and sophomores Nora Schaffer and Cam Berringer, and freshman Brenna Chen joins the program.
HUNTLEY
The Red Raiders were 6-1 in dual meets, third in the Fox Valley Conference and ninth in the St. Charles North sectional in 2023.
Returners for Jenna Gaudio's team are seniors Maribelle Moyer and Rebecca Rocks along with juniors Caolyn Piepenbrink, Samantha Tan and Greta Young and sophomores Alyssa Gooden, Emerson Kim, Kylie Lamberti, Kacey LaPut and Ruby Martin. Freshmen Michelle Grela and Olivia Rohde are newcomers.
"Our season goals are setting personal records and team records," said Gaudio. “We want to drop times and they are excited to put the work in. We graduated only one swimmer and the girls are excited to swim fast and see how well everyone does. We have a strong conference filled with a lot of good swimmers."
LAKE PARK
Coach Bennett Witteveen returns juniors Veronica Krensku (seventh in state in 100 butterfly, 25th 100 breaststroke) and Lily Dewry (25th 100 breaststroke).
The Lancers were third in the DuKane Conference, sectional champs at Downers Grove North and 30th in the state.
Others returning are senior Una Dizdarevic, and juniors Iza Turczynska, Nadia Kowalski, Juliette Niemic and Nicole Brzostowski.
"We want to be competitive in the top conference (DuKane) in the state," said Witteveen. “Qualify for state in multiple events and take another major step with the program.”
NAPERVILLE NORTH
State qualifiers back for the Huskies are seniors Chloe Chen and Malika Putakham, junior Abby Pobozny and sophomore Tasha Mantel. Senior Payton Schreier, junior Izzy Hersher and sophomores Jules Swatford, Erin Colburn and Natalia Brown also return while coach Andy McWhirter has a solid group of divers to choose from which includes senior Samantha Connolly, junior Sydney Queen sophomores Derryn Milner and Isa Smith along with freshmen Avery Christensen and Madison Moungay.
Caitlin Augustune, MacKenzie Kuznar and Amy Rea also are new to the team.
"The DVC is a tough conference," said McWhirter. “All the teams are competitive.”
ROSARY
The Beads, the defending state champions, return a bevy of talent in an attempt to repeat.
Rosary claimed the state title with 243 points while New Trier was second with 203.5 points.
Coach Glenn Brown's squad return two-time state champion senior Becky Rentz (Nptre Dame), who claimed top honors in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
Senior Elizabeth Nawrocki, a Georgia recruit, was the state champ in the 100 breaststroke and was fifth in the 200 individual medley.
TCU recruit Olivia Moore was third in the 100 breaststroke and senior Bella Wojtowicz (Illinois) placed seventh in the 200 individual medley.
Senior Kendall Mallers (Iowa State) placed 23rd in the 500 freestyle.
Other state place finishers were junior Ariyana Nieckula (sixth, 100 butterfly), sophomore Anna Bella Nawrocki (10th backstroke and junior Allie Casanovas (14th 500 freestyle).
Other returners are juniors Julia Barthel and Kailey DeLacruz, and they will be joined on the team by freshmen Paige Kowal and Abby Moore.
"We are in a very strong conference (Chicagoland Christian)," said coach Glenn Brown. “We want to win every meet.”
SOUTH ELGIN
The Storm, which will co-op with Elgin, were third in the Upstate Eight Conference, seventh in the sectionals and 28th in the state.
Senior Morgan McCloskey placed 10th in the diving a year ago.
Others back are senior Mikella Mesina and junior Meadow Macalindong while freshman Vicki Osenkowski will be one to watch.
ST. CHARLES EAST
The Saints, under the guidance of fourth-year coach Adam Musial, must replace 12 seniors from a team that finished second in the DuKane Conference, third in the sectionals and 45th in the state (5 points).
"There are some big shoes to fill,“ Musial said.
State qualifiers back are junior Mikayla Kellett and sophomore Lulu Negro.
Returners include seniors Elin Foreman and Vivienne Dean, juniors Celine Peterson, Charlotta and Caroline Supple and sophomore Lily Engelhart while freshman Mia Fuscone is another top swimmer.
"We want to match or increase our state qualifications from last year and exceed our point total," said Musial. “We want to stay competitive in the conference meet and find a away to compete for the conference title. We want to be competitive in dual meets and invites and be prepared for the end of the season championship meets."
ST. CHARLES NORTH
The North Stars boast one of the top 1-2 punches in the state. Senior Isabelle Beu, a Georgia recruit, who is the returning state champion in the 200 individual medley and a runner-up 100 breaststroke. Junior Tess Stavropoulos was second in the 50 freestyle and fourth in the 100 freestyle. Junior Jenna Williams was 12th in the 100 backstroke.
Others back for veteran coach Rob Rooney, in his 25th season, are juniors Giana Mesina and Martina Dobek.
Newcomers include Abby Hill, Kate Ferrell and Avery Luedtkae.
The North Stars are the defending DuKane Conference champs, were second in their own sectional and sixth in the state.
"We want to build upon the tradition and build upon team success," said Rooney.
ST. FRANCIS
The Spartans return seniors Jackie Gabbert, Ana Hall and Rachel Telzrow and sophomores Adrina Capeless and Isabella Bana to go with newcomers Maddie Sioma and Payton Klingborg.
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
Nick Arens begins his 14th season as coach. Arens, who has carved out a 39-25-2 career mark, led the Warriors to a third-place finish in the DuPage Valley, fourth in the sectionals and 40th at the state meet.
State qualifiers returning are seniors Bella Plude and Ruby Meier, juniors Calin Ball and Anna Honcharuk and sophomores Abbey Brown and Malini Madiman.
WEST AURORA
The Blackhawks, back in the Upstate Eight Conference, return senior Megan Reagan, juniors Regan Mitchell, Callie Reimer and Amalig Valdez, and sophomores Addison Waddle and Sydney Charmello.
Newcomers include seniors Hannah Patel, and juniors Anaya Alfaro, Mikayla Hanson and Sydney Charmello.
"We want to do the best we can do this season," said Burke. “We have a strong group of girls. They are ready to swim and do the best we can. We want to get Addison Wadle downstate in the 100 backstroke.”
WEST CHICAGO-BATAVIA-GENEVA co-op
The Wildcats return junior Audrey Lindstrom, who was ninth in the 500 freestyle and 13th in the 200 freestyle. Junior Claire Conklin was 11th in the 50 freestyle and senior Megan Sego was 32nd in the 100 butterfly.
Other returners are senior Emma Nolan, sophomores Emery Larsen, Katherine Smith, Ryann Lehan and senior Mia Marin to join with newcomers Jenna Bilut and Claire Smith, both freshmen.
The Wildcats were Upstate Eight Conference champs last year, won the St. Charles North sectional and were 12th in the state with 54 points.
"We want to have top eight finishers in the state, take another UEC title and have multiple state qualifiers," said first-year coach Sophia Parr.
WHEATON NORTH-WHEATON WARRENVILLE SOUTH
Coached by Angela Shaw, the co-op returns seniors Tiernan Day and Brynn Dillow along with juniors Jojo Mahan and Mina Ospina.
"We have great depth and great leaders from our juniors and seniors in and out of the pool," said Shaw. “We look forward to a great season ahead in the competitive DuKane Conference. We look forward to some great racing. We want to fine tune our technique, build better practice habits and produce purposeful training race strategy.”
YORK
Megan Jensen begins her seventh season coaching in Elmhurst. The Dukes were third in the rugged West Suburban Conference Silver Division, second in the sectionals and 51st in the state.
York returns state qualifiers senior Sophia Amendola, junior Samantha Szejner and sophomore Katie McCarthy to go with freshman newcomer Gabby Miller.