Girls swimming: Scouting DuPage County and the Fox Valley
Addison Trail/Willowbrook
The Addison Trail-Willowbrook co-op, coached by Dan Fernandez, returns 10 swimmers from last year's team which finished third in the West Suburban Conference Gold.
Back are seniors Naomi Aldana (Willowbrook), Tabitha Smaczny (Willowbrook) and Emily Moy (Addison Trail) along with juniors Emily Gzamouranis (Willowbrook), Megan Usry (Willowbrook), Valerie Amanda Sanchez (Addison Trail) and Parker Regan (Addison Trail), and sophomores Marrisa Murphy (Willowbrook), Olivia Sawicka (Addison Trail) and Stella Fortner (Willowbrook).
Freshmen Maddie Bousom (Willowbrook), Cate Ford (Willowbrook) and Colleen Pienkus (Willowbrook) join the team.
“We hope to have better placement in the conference," said Fernandez. ”We want to foster and develop swimmers and improve swimmer times so they are closer to state qualifying times.“
BARTLETT-STREAMWOOD CO-OP
Coach Mike Manalanson's troops were third in the Upstate Eight Conference and fifth in the sectionals.
Senior Stephanie Adamson (Streamwood), who qualified for the state meet as a sophomore, is hoping to return to the finals in her last try.
Other returners are seniors Norah Cook (Bartlett), Abigail Fletcher (Bartlett), Abigail Rycerz (Bartlett), junior Kaylee Olson (Bartlett) and sophomore Teagan Collins (Bartlett).
Newcomers include freshmen Matilda Kopijka and Sophia Sekkat. Both attend Bartlett.
"We have a large group of seniors who hope to realize their potential to swim as fast as they can in the conference and sectionals," said Manalanson. “Hopefully the upperclassmen will grow as leaders and be great examples to the younger swimmers. They will set up future success winning dual meets. We want Stephanie Adamson to get back to the state meet. We want to challenge West Chicago for the conference championship and improve on a third-place finish."
CARY-GROVE
The Trojans finished third in the Fox Valley Conference a year ago.
Senior Ella Urbates and juniors Olivia Nagaj, Emma Kosik, Elise Rae Cuenca and Delaney Wairath return for coach Scott Lattyak.
Newcomers include freshmen Kaylie Bostic and Eliana Sowie.
"We are focused with our depth to have strong push in individual events and relays," said Lattyak. “This is a close-knit group. The athletes are coming together with shared goals and hard work and commitment with unity and purpose.”
CRYSTAL LAKE SOUTH-CRYSTAL LAKE CENTRAL-PRAIRIE RIDGE co-op
Coach John Valentine returns senior Isabella Fontana who was 16th in the state in the 100 freestyle a year ago.
Others back are seniors Penny Brereton and Emily Rudzinski, junior Kendall Kramer and sophomore Isabella Relicion while sophomore Eloise Brereton joins the team. Valentine's crew hopes to improve on a second-place Fox Valley Conference finish and 46th at the state meet.
"We are going against better competition this year and there are tough times ahead in the conference with Huntley and Cary-Grove," said Valentine.
DUNDEE-CROWN-JACOBS-HAMPSHIRE co-op
Four state qualifiers return: senior Kaitlyn Tomaszewski (Jacobs, 200 medley relay, 100 breaststroke); and juniors Rachel Johnson (Jacobs, 200 medley relay, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 400 freestyle relay); Eliana Niemi (200 medley relay, 50 freestyle, 400 freestyle relay); and Tessa Iverson (Hampshire, 400 freestyle relay).
Junior Olivia Burzynski (Dundee-Crown) also is back, and the defending Fox Valley Conference champs — who were third in the sectionals — add freshmen Ruth Johnson and Anastasia Komorova.
"We want to defend our conference championship," said coach Elizabeth Olson. “We look forward to another strong year.”
DOWNERS GROVE NORTH
Elisabeth's Stanley's Trojans return six seniors who qualified or placed at the state meet in 2024.
Downers North finished sixth in the West Suburban Silver, fourth in the sectionals and 41st in the state last year.
The Trojans are led by seniors Emily Weingast (14th, 200 individual medley), Kat Vitali (Lewis University recruit, 26th 200 freestyle, 34th 100 freestyle), Mia Rogers (29th, 500 freestyle); Abby Deciccoi (35th, 50 freestyle; 38th 100 freestyle,19th 400 freestyle relay), Abby Wyssman (400 freestyle relay) and state qualifier Jessica Lanning.
Newcomers include senior Sade Lanucha, sophomores Avery Odenbach and Aven Warren and freshman Mia Bajramovic.
"We have a large senior class and a large freshmen class," said Stanley. “We are looking forward to a fun season. We are trying to improve our times and qualify more swimmers to state."
HINSDALE CENTRAL
The Red Devils took sixth in the state last year and bring back juniors Karina Miller (sixth 200 medley relay, 15th 100 backstroke), Lillia Barber (ninth 50 freestyle), Isabella Brubaker (16th 100 freestyle) and Sarah Pelinkovic (ninth 500 freestyle, 20th 200 individual medley).
The 200 freestyle relay of Miller, Brubaker, Lauren Linn and Emma Posey Lahmann were ninth. Sophomore Norah Seraphin was 29th in the 100 butterfly and senior Annie Rocca was 32nd in the 100 butterfly.
The Red Devils also add freshmen Nicole Sun, Samantha Walley and Kara Brady.
"We have a lot of talent on this team," said coach Bob Barber. “The girls need to improve across the board to improve our place in the state. We hope to put up a good fight. We want to break team records and integrate a strong incoming freshmen group into the mix. We want to be competitive with LT in the conference."
HINSDALE SOUTH
The Hornets, coached by Elizabeth Walker, return state qualifier sophomore Brenna Chan (100 breaststroke), and also seniors Ellie Urban and Maya Szafran, and juniors Camryn Beringer and Nora Schaeffer.
HUNTLEY
Coach Jenna Gaudio returns 10 swimmers from a team that finished fourth in the Fox Valley Conference and fifth in rugged the St. Charles East sectional.
Seniors Greta Young, Sam Tan, Carolyn Repenbrink and juniors Allyssa Gooden, Emerson Kim, Kylie Lamberti Kacey Laput and Ruby Martin along with sophomores Michelle Grela and Olivia Rohde are all back while freshman Maggie Glosson is new.
"We want to finish in the top three in the conference," said Gaudio. “We want to make IHSA state cuts. We have a smaller team but we are strong in the varsity and junior varsity. The juniors and seniors have stepped up. They are supportive of each other. We want to build strong relationships over the course of the season. We want to be supportive of each other. I want to see how the season progresses."
LAKE PARK
Coach Bennett Witteveen is hoping for a better than 46th at state, second in the DuKane Conference and third at the sectional. Fueling the Lancers machine in 2025 are state place finishers seniors Veronica Krenska (20th 50 freestyle, 22nd 100 butterfly) and Lily Drewry (20th 100 breaststroke).
Back from the 16th place 200 medley relay team are Drewry and Krenska. Returning from the 21st place 200 freestyle relay team are Krenska, senior Izabella Turczynska, and junior Nicole Brzostowski.
The 28th place 400 freestyle relay team was comprised of Turczynska, seniors Nadia Kowlaski and Maja Staniszewski and junior Juliette Niemic.
The Lancers add sophomore Chloe Jacklow and Jennifer Niemic.
"We want to stay competitive in the difficult DuKane Conference," said the Lake Park coach. “We want to be competitive in the sectional and have state qualifiers and state finalists.”
LISLE
Senior Elizabeth Hritz, the lone Lisle swimmer, is in her fourth year on the varsity and is hoping to qualify for the state meet.
METEA VALLEY
The Mustangs were 46th in the state, fifth in the DuPage Valley Conference and ninth in the sectionals, led by senior Molly Schalk who was a state qualifier.
Newcomers include freshmen Olivia Linduska and Aarohi Bhata.
"We want to qualify more individual relays for state," said coach Missy Hines. “We are looking forward to a great year."
NAPERVILLE CENTRAL
The Redhawks finished fourth in the DuPage Valley Conference, seventh in the sectional and 33rd in the state in 2024.
Seniors Shannon Hsu and Lilly Gia and junior Alexa Goldstone qualified for state and are joined by seniors Avery Meisenheimer, Mikayla Bellisario, Macy Fults and Reese Henige, juniors Alaina Barrett, Anna Lazovski, Audrey Miller, Maddie Saccameno and Emma Lauzen, sophomores Lily Wolski, Maria Danborn, Natalie Wezolowski and Molly Moore, and freshmen Molly Faith, Elyse Gensler, Lilly Potter and Amelia Kreamer.
"We should be an interesting team to watch,“ said coach Mike Adams. ”We have 54 swimmers who combine experience and new young swimmers. We are off to a good start. The competition for the conference and state will be fierce."
NEUQUA VALLEY
The Wildcats enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign winning the DuPage Valley Conference, taking second in the sectionals and eighth in the state.
Coach Chris Rannolo's troops might be even better in 2025.
Back are state finishers juniors Sophia Plater (15th, 500 freestyle, 21st 100 backstroke), Carolina Plater (14th 200 freestyle, 22nd 500 freestyle).
Both Platers were part of the fifth place 200 freestyle and ninth place 400 freestyle relay teams.
Sophomore Annika Anderson was 38th in the 500 freestyle and sophomore Gabriella Ursu was 45th in diving.
Returners include seniors McKenna Buedel and Ava Wallin along with junior Charlie Satlak and sophomores Elle Fairchild, Charlotte Lee, Bree Pepping and Taylor Tuch. The Wildcats add newcomers Sophie Diorio, Kailin McConkey, Ariana Mitchell and Rose Mary Wong.
"We lost a lot of seniors but we are young with talent and hope to build on the success from last year," said Rannolo. “We want our state finishers to finish even higher. We want to support each other. That is important.”
ROSARY
The Beads are seeking a third straight state championship, and they seem to have the talent and firepower to accomplish that goal.
The 2025 Beads are led by senior and Iowa recruit Ariyana Nieckula. Nieckula was third in the 100 butterfly and a key cog in the state championship 200 freestyle relay team, the runner-up 400 freestyle relay team and the 200 medley relay team.
Coach Glen Brown's troops also return senior Annabella Nawrocki who was third in the 100 backstroke and ninth in the 200 freestyle. Nawrocki swam on the second place 400 freestyle relay team.
The Beads’ future is in good hands with sophomores Paige Kowal and Abby Moore. As freshmen Kowal was third in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 500 freestyle. She was on the state championship 200 freestyle relay team and second place 400 freestyle relay team.
Moore was 11th in the 100 backstroke and was on the runner-up 200 medley relay team. Rosary also returns seniors Kailey Delacruz and Julia Bartula.
"We have a lot of opportunities to step up due to graduation," Rosary coach Glenn Brown said. “We want to win conference (GCAC) and swim fast."
SOUTH ELGIN-ELGIN co-op
Senior Alexis Olson finished in the Top 20 in the state in diving.
Coach Jeff Davis will also count on sophomores Victoria Osenkowski and Liv Murphy.
ST. CHARLES EAST
The Saints were third in the DuKane Conference, fourth in the sectionals and 38th in the state, and they have a plethora of experience with returners seniors Ari Barone, Mikayla Kellett, Caroline and Charlotte Supple and Celine Peterson, juniors Lily Engelhardt, Paige Trump and Paige Haddon and sophomore Mia Fuscone.
Returning divers for the Saints are seniors Delaney Kersten and Olivia Mruk.
"Almost everyone is returning from last year's sectionals," said coach Adam Musial. “We are a year older and have a solid number of juniors and seniors with varsity experience. This is a very competitive group. We want to be the best version of ourselves and continue to grow as the season goes. We want to swim and dive our best at the end of the season. We want to be competitive in dual meets and get some high race experience through dual meets and invites in preparation for conference and sectionals. We want to finish in the top three in the conference."
ST. CHARLES NORTH
The North Stars boast one of the best 1-2 duos in the state.
The Stars, third in the state in 2024, are led by seniors Tess Stavropoulos (Missouri) and Kate Farrell (Illinois).
Stavropoulos placed fourth in the 50 freestyle and fifth in the 100 freestyle. Stavropoulos was on the first place 400 relay team and third place 200 freestyle relay team.
Farrell was runner-up in the 200 individual medley and third in the 500 freestyle. She was on the championship 400 relay team and eighth place 200 medley relay.
St. Charles North, the DuKane and sectional champions, also return sophomore Thea Bike (fifth 100 backstroke, eighth 200 medley relay) and Hayden Kruse (200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay) and senior Martyna Dobek. Others to watch are seniors Gianna Messina and Ava Siotropos, juniors Tatum Luedtke, Madison Manny, Grace Phillips and Isabella Rojo, sophomore Hannah Maksimak and freshmen Sophia Bangioro, Rachel Duetmeyer and Ava Hastert.
"The traditions of programs are important," said coach Rob Rooney. “We want to finish in the top three in the state. In the conference, Wheaton is getting better every year."
ST. FRANCIS
The Spartans, under coach Justin Merriss, return junior Audrina Capeless and sophomores Maddie Sloma and Peyton Lindberg.
The top newcomers are freshmen Riley Dunnett and Lily Rebacz.
"We want to finish in the top half of the MCAC," said Merriss. “We want to have a strong sectional showing and have individual state qualifiers.”
WAUBONSIE VALLEY
The Warriors will be strong in diving with senior Lucia Caruso (eighth in state) and junior Ella Buchenauer (ninth in state).
Junior Abby Brown is a returning state qualifier.
Other returners include seniors Anna Honcharuk and Callin Ball, junior Melani Madman and sophomore Brooklyn Landtiser while freshmen Mirabella Coursiere and Madelyn Hartsell join the team.
"We have a chance to win the DVC and place very well at the sectionals," said coach Chris Hagenbaumer, whose team was second last year before taking third at sectionals and 21st at state. “We want to qualify all our relays and score as well. We have two top 10 divers back who have improved their dives from last year. We want to finish in the top 10 in the state or better."
WEST AURORA
Coach Kevin Burke’s Blackhawks placed fifth in the Upstate Eight Conference and 11th at sectionals in 2024.
Burke has a senior-laden team which includes Addison Lutzenkirchen, Regan Mitchell, Angel Olivo, Callie Reimer, Amalia Valdez, Anayha Alfaro, Giselle Nantelle and Mikayla Hanson. Also back in the fold are juniors Allison Wadle and Josephine Welsch and sophomore Sydney Charmelo, while senior Jiselle Pareno, junior Maria Ruiz and sophomore Emily Stone are new.
"We have large group of seniors and we want to maximize their efforts," said Burke. “We want to make some state cuts. We would like to get one or two state qualifiers. It is a hard working group of young ladies. They enjoy what they are doing in the water and the board.”
WEST CHICAGO-GENEVA-BATAVIA co-op
The Wildcats enjoyed a successful 2024 season. They won the Upstate Eight Conference and were a perfect 6-0 in dual meets, were second in the St. Charles East Sectional and 16th in the state meet.
Coach Sophia Parr's troops might be even better in 2025.
West Chicago has eight returning state qualifiers returning including seniors Claire Conklin (Minnesota) and Audrey Lindstrom. Conklin was 11th in the 100 freestyle and Lindstrom was 13th in the 200 freestyle and 17th in the 500 freestyle.
Sophomore Jenna Bilut was 26th in the 100 butterfly and junior Emery Larsen placed 30th in the 100 backstroke and 40th in the 200 freestyle.
The 400 freestyle relay team, which was eighth, returns Conklin, Lindstrom, Bilut and Larsen. The entire 200 freestyle relay team which finished 16th is back with Conklin and Lindstrom, and juniors Maddie Seykora and Claire Schumacher. The 200 medley relay which was 25th has Bilut, Sykora, sophomore Claire Simon and junior Ryann Lehan back.
Newcomers include freshmen Kayla Kowal, Makena Kothe, Katherine Conklin, Larsen Hill, Julia Jordan and Kora Lindstrom.
"We want to win conference and sectional and finish in the top 10 in the state," said Parr. “We want state qualifiers in each event. We have a strong team with our entire state roster returning. We will lose some talented seniors but we have a talented freshman class which has room to grow.”
WHEATON co-op
Coach Angela Nelson returns sophomore Eliana Moody who was 13th in the state in 1-meter diving a year ago. Senior Reagan Pasqualicchio and freshmen Avery Groth and Caroline LeManheu are others to watch.
"Fun swimming is fast swimming," said Nelson. “We have a positive team environment with team values of working and the experience high school swimming provides. We want to improve on techniques and turns in the water. We want to be aggressive in relays and apply the little fixes. We want to do well at the DuKane Conference meet and sectionals at the end of the season and qualify for the state meet in some events."