Scouting Tri-Cities area boys swimming teams
Marmion
Coach: Bill Schalz
Key losses to graduation: Austin Cox, Tyler Capen, Will Butzke, Thomas Delves, Matt Lifka.
Top returnees: Matt Pircon, sr., Ben Kanute, jr., Andy Healy, jr., Zach Bennett, so., Michael Duy, jr., Dan Duhig, so., Eric Marinello, jr., Michael Tavierne, jr.
Top newcomers: Robert Ramoska, Josh Kanute.
Outlook: Losing a half-dozen core swimmers after finishing fourth in the state is going to leave some holes in the lineup. But Marmion has a lot of talented swimmers returning, and some strong freshmen in the program as well. So despite those losses, the Cadets have hopes of finishing in the Top 10 again. "While we graduated a very strong senior class, we have a strong nucleus of returners," Schalz said. The top returning Cadets swimmer is senior Matt Pircon, who was second in the state in the 50-yard freestyle and helped all three of the school's relays finish in the top 6 last year. Ben Kanute and Andy Healy - both juniors - return with experience as state qualifiers.
St. Charles East
Coach: Joe Cabel
Key losses to graduation: Ken Tiltges, Adam Carnell, Nick Lauf.
Top returnees: Shane Seuschek, sr., Shaun Seuschek, so., Corey Mondul, jr., Stephen Mason, so., Christian League, jr., Corbin Smith, jr.
Top newcomers: Nick Watts, T.J. Bindseil, Alec Carnell, Austin Muelschlegel.
Outlook: A year, ago, St. Charles East had a season that coach Joe Cabel described as "great." How this year's team will finish is a little difficult to divine, in part because the squad is very young. But there is talent in the water, and just because the Saints are a young group this year doesn't mean they can't have a successful season. Senior Shane Seuschek and his sophomore brother Shaun Seuschek qualified for the state meet as individuals last year.
St. Charles North
Coach: Rob Rooney
Key losses to graduation: Jason Edgar, Nick Smith, Alex Peterson, Dan Stanek.
Top returnees: Chris Dieter, so., Alex Waskelo, sr., Andrew Preusse, jr.
Top newcomers: Spencer Gray, Ryan Joyce, Kyle Gannon, Josh Clay, Nick Kowalski, Joey Chokran, Sam Chapelle.
Outlook: After a series of seasons in which the North Stars placed solidly in the Top 10 in the state and entertained possibilities of earning a team trophy, St. Charles North is in position to reload a bit this year. "As a high school, you're only as good as your club, and we're in an upswing with our club," Rooney said. "Our numbers - and (St. Charles) East's numbers are good because I think Joe (Cabel, Saints coach) and I are both good recruiters at the school. I guess I kind of learned that from him, how to get those needed kids to come out from gym class." Led by athletes such as sophomore Chris Dieter, the North Stars will look to improve through the season.
West Aurora
Coach: Joe Neukirch
Key losses to graduation: Josh Gung.
Top returnees: Connor Wiltse, sr., Stephen Macey, jr., Michael Bass, jr., Cody Gates, jr., Trent Pahnke, so., David Pauly, so., Chad Riccio, so., Chris Hickernell, sr.
Top newcomers: Chris Frommert, sr., Robert Lauzen, jr., Rami Said, jr., Jacob Wiltse, fr., Tamas Rieser, fr.
Outlook: Turnout used to be a problem for West Aurora's swim team. But that's not the case this year, where 40 boys have turned out to compete for the Blackhawks. Of perhaps greater concern, then, is the swimming pedigree of those athletes - none of whom are club swimmers. Dedication among that group is strong, however. None of the team members have dropped the sport yet, despite the early-season grind. "It's good to see this happening," Neukirch said. "There's a lot of inexperience but also a lot of skill." Neukirch said there might be a state qualifier or two in the water, but added that diver Chris Hickernell may have the best shot on the team to make a trip to Evanston in late February for the state meet.