Wildcats living in the present
Neuqua Valley girls swimming coach Jennifer Heyer-Olsen is definitely not living in the past.
After last year's fifth-at-state finish, the coach is confident going into this week's Neuqua Valley sectional that this year's team can forge its own identity and establish its own credentials, though the results might not be as lofty as those produced by the 2007 Wildcats.
Neuqua's graduation losses included three athletes who scored points at state by finishing in the top 12 in their individual events - Kathleen Patterson, Atlantis Wilkins and Andrea Belter. They were also important members of the Wildcats relay teams that finished third, fifth and seventh at last year's state meet.
"We're focused on what we have to do this year," Heyer-Olsen said. "Last year is irrelevant. This is kind of a developmental year for us. And we have a lot of new varsity swimmers who have improved and are filling in the gaps left by the girls who graduated. I like the chemistry and the focus we have this year."
While there has been a lot of experimenting this season with different swimmers in both relays and individual events, Heyer-Olsen is optimistic about the 13-person team that will be competing at this weekend's Neuqua Valley sectional, generally acknowledged to be the toughest in the state.
"In some events there could be 10 or 12 people making the state cut at this meet," Heyer Olsen said. "Our girls will just have to handle the pressure and plow through it. They just have to view it as good competition and get the job done. We have 11 swimmers and two divers on our sectional team, and our goal is to get every one of them to state."
Among the teams the Wildcats will be hosting are defending state-champion Rosary, traditional rivals Waubonsie Valley, Naperville Central and Naperville North, and some of emerging programs as Benet, Wheaton co-op, Oswego East and IMSA.
The roster of outstanding athletes competing for their places at state Saturday will also include: Erin Lamb and Vanessa Hendrix of Naperville Central; Emma Williams, Sarah Rendek and Caroline Chang of Naperville North; Elena Carvell, Shelby Daeschner and Andrea Baumgartner of Waubonsie Valley and Sarah Galvin of Benet, Danielle Reminger and Jessica Wellick of Wheaton co-op.
That list also includes Neuqua Valley's junior Lexi Piranian and senior Jeanette Nolte, returning veterans and state qualifiers who provide experienced team leadership. Nolte who finished first in the 50 freestyle at the Upstate Eight Conference meet on Nov. 1, was a first-year varsity swimmer last year. At state she swam the 100 butterfly and competed on the 200 medley relay that finished third and the 200 freestyle relay at finished fifth.
"Jeanette improved tremendously last year," Heyer-Olsen said. "Because she got so fast, her results aren't as dramatic this season. Saturday, she just has to make her cut and that will get her going for the following week."
Piranian, who qualified for state the past two years, was also a member of that medley relay.
As a freshman, Piranian swam the breaststroke on the medley relay and last year she led off the race with the backstroke.
"Lexi is a dedicated athlete who gives us a lot of flexibility," Heyer-Olsen said. "She's a team player who knows what it means to step in and swim different events when we need her to."
Piranian who didn't finish top 12 in either of her individual events last year, believes she's more prepared for the sectional and state challenges this time as she competes to make state in the 200 IM and the 100 breaststroke.
"Coach Heyer has helped get into a much better mental state this year," Piranian said. "I'm working harder and I'm more comfortable with the training. I've been preparing for the sectional meet. I feel ready and I'm excited."
The Wildcats also continue their tradition of producing top-level divers.
This year's duo of freshman Taylor Eggenberger, the Upstate Eight Conference champion and sophomore Lauren Mikulecky are two of the top competitors in this weekend's diving competition.
"Our diving coach, Gerry Petit, is the best I've ever worked with," Heyer-Olsen said. "He's dedicated to the divers and works with them throughout the year. He's very intense and he gets results."