Already in magazine, Alden seeks a career record

Neuqua Valley boys swim coach Chad Allen brought it to our attention that Wildcats senior sprinter Brian Alden is in the September issue of Swimming World magazine.

Allen had to. Alden wasn't about to toot his own horn.

"I don't talk about it much," Alden said, "because I don't want to sound like I've got a big head."

Can't have that. Alden's already gotbase big prospects, big goals and, with back-to-back state titles in both the 50- and 100-yard freestyles, a big target on his back.

He was listed in Swimming World as having the top time in the nation last season in the 50, at 20.10 seconds.

The magazine ranked Neuqua Valley eighth in the country overall -- behind No. 1 New Trier and ahead of No. 9 St. Charles East -- and had the Wildcats fourth among public schools. Naperville North was sixth.

"I think for Brian, it gives him a little more national recognition," Allen said. "He's pretty much starting to get that ahead of time, but I think that'll put that out there for colleges as far as being the top sprinter in the country."

Alden, whose time of 44.86 in the 100 freestyle ranked seventh in the nation and No. 2 by a junior, has taken official visits to Indiana and Penn State. He'll go to the University of Southern California this weekend and later will visit Texas and Auburn.

"For the most part he could probably go wherever he wants," Allen said.

One thing Alden wants is the 50 freestyle national record, that of 19.69 set in 2002 by California swimmer Michael Cavic.

He places state and national team titles ahead of his individual pursuits and, as one who doesn't want to be known as having a big head, acknowledges the support of his parents, Mark and Adrianne.

"They give me anything I need to help me achieve my goals," Alden said.

Cover boy

Dave Fortosis, a graduate of Wheaton Academy's Class of 2004 and brother of former Wheaton College hoopster Jim Fortosis, was named a tri-captain of the Calvin College (Mich.) soccer team.

In fact his picture graced the cover of the program for the Knights' Sept. 7 home opener.

Unfortunately, that action shot was the only action he got. In a collision in the 75th minute of Calvin's prior game, Fortosis suffered a concussion and partially separated shoulder. According to his father, David Sr., he's "slowly getting back into training."

Slowly is the operative word for Fortosis, who was unbeaten in his last 11 starts dating to 2006. This is his fifth concussion in five seasons. By Tuesday it seemed unlikely he'd gain medical clearance for this week's games.

All that brain rattling hasn't shaken his academic abilities.

A member of the Chicago Fire All-State Academic Team his senior year at Wheaton Academy, the West Chicagoan has made the Dean's List every semester. He's a two-time member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Academic Honor Roll.

He'll finish his business administration and Spanish studies this fall, a semester early.

Kramer vs. Kramer

Some people with highly successful, highly visible parents get along pretty well.

For every Angelina Jolie, however, there's a Kyle Eastwood for whom parental success casts a long shadow.

When Robin Kramer became Jerilyn Scardina's assistant on Hinsdale Central's girls tennis team it was not a lock she'd be a solid coach simply because the person she succeeded -- her father, Red Devils 48-year boys coach Jay Kramer -- has a national reputation as a coach and player.

Even now Robin Kramer admitted, "I like to toil in anonymity.

"I like people to know me as Robin the assistant, then when people hear my last name it's like, 'Oh, daughter of the legend,' " said Kramer, a Naperville attorney who in her prep career at Benet finished fourth in state in 1982 and fifth in 1984 with doubles partner Dana Graczyk.

Just last year as a player, Kramer won a mixed-doubles national championship in Puerto Rico as well as a national father-daughter title in Barrington.

Since taking over for her father in 2000 she has admirably supported 31-year veteran Scardina in her niche as a doubles coach.

"I think her and I are a power team," Kramer said.

They've landed the 2000, 2003 and 2006 team state championships. The doubles teams of Kate Williams-Meena Anand (2000) and Courtney Dolehide-Nida Hamilton (2006) also brought home first place.

Now sophomores, Dolehide-Hamilton (respectively, the nation's Nos. 44 and 69 ranked junior players) are favorites again. Robin Kramer said the Red Devils' No. 2 doubles team of Emily Lombardi and Alex Tapak also has the possibility of being a top-eight seed at state.

"I would like to think that I've gotten the respect of other tennis coaches in the area," said Kramer, who inherited a "supercompetitive" persona from her father.

As for dad, Jay Kramer said: "I don't know how I'd put it in words, to see my daughter at Hinsdale Central and have the same emotions and outlook as I do."

Robin Kramer's not at a loss for words.

"It's been awesome and I absolutely love it," she said. "I hope that the kids recognize my absolute passion."

Quick hitters

Neuqua Valley's Class AA state championship baseball team, coached by Robin Renner, received its championship rings at halftime of the Wildcats' home football game Sept. 7. Infielder Adam Carver returned from Baldwin-Wallace College (Ohio) for the occasion.

Renner also announced that the speaker for his annual Opportunity Through Baseball benefit will be Brooks Robinson. The Hall of Famer's usual fee is $25,000, but after hearing the event benefits several charity programs, he lowered his rate to a more palatable figure.

Wrestling titan Ed Ewoldt and Jim Juriga, offensive lineman on Wheaton North's 1981 state championship football team (plus the John Elway-era Denver Broncos) were recently honored at the Wheaton Historic Preservation Council's "Legends of Wheaton" Kiebler Golf Classic.