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Girls swimming: Scouting the Fox Valley

Bartlett-StreamwoodCoach: Jeremy Meserole

Top returning swimmers: Seniors Sarah Hanning (fly, back, relays), Meagan Cummins (50, 100, relays), Juniors Kayla Filipek (50, 100, relays), Brianna Cichon (200, back, fly, relays), Morgan Kelly (breaststroke, 200, 500), Kelly Byrne (IM, fly, breaststroke, relays), sophomore Gabby Seberger (backstroke, 200, 500, IM)

Key newcomer: Paige Edmier (200, 500)

Outlook: A team on the definite upswing, Bartlett-Streamwood is coming off a 2014 season where Filipek became the first state scorer and medalist in Bartlett girls' swimming history, doing so in the 50 and 100. The Bartlett-Streamwood state-qualifying 400 relay has three of its four components back in Filipek, Cichon and Cummins. Filipek is the current 15-16 age group state record-holder in the 50 free (22.50; fourth-fastest 16-year-old girl in the country, Meserole noted) and is the first student from Bartlett to qualify for the USA Swimming Olympic Trials. She holds individually or is part of six Bartlett-Streamwood school records (3 individual, 3 relays). Edmier, a freshman, earned an age-group state medal this year and her 500 time is currently within 2 seconds of the oldest Bartlett-Streamwood team record. Hanning is back after missing her junior year due to injury. She qualified for state in 3 events as a sophomore. "We're continuing to build upon our past successes," said Meserole. "This season stands to be one of the best in team history."

Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Scott Lattyak

Top returning swimmers: Senior Natalie Hamann (back, 50, 100, 200), juniors Ashlynn Baker (200, 500, back, 100), Karsen Seeger (50, 100, 200, 500), sophomores Sejal Dhindsa (back, 100, 200), Sarah Pilut (50, 100), Emily Havard (fly, IM, breaststroke)

Key newcomers: Freshmen Emma Boldwyn (fly), Samantha Anthony (breaststroke)

Outlook: The Trojans have depth back in the freestyle races. Team chemistry also will be a major building block. "The team is very united this year," said Lattyak. "They will be a force to be reckoned with." Lattyak sees a number of top contenders in the FVC this season. "The conference will be very exciting this year," he said. "Many of the teams will be very competitive. I have a feeling McHenry, Crystal Lake and Huntley all will be tough this year."

Crystal Lake co-opCoach: Stephanie Wozny

2014 finish: 8-0 duals, second-place Fox Valley Conference

Top returning swimmers: Junior Paige Dalbke (Prairie Ridge, IM, breaststroke, fly), sophomore Valerie Tarazi (Prairie Ridge, IM, 100)

Key newcomers: Freshmen Rhiannon Wozny (Crystal Lake Central, all-around), Caitlin Pieroni (Prairie Ridge, freestyle, backstroke)

Outlook: Tarazi had a heck of a debut season last year, breaking all but one Prairie Ridge record and establishing four new pool records. Tarazi was the FVC meet MVP and conference newcomer of the year. She finished fifth in the state in the IM and ninth in the 100 (earning all-American honors in the 100). Depth will help the District 155 team this season. "We have a lot of freshmen and thus have some depth in events this year," said Wozny. "Many of the girls have been swimming together on a club team for several years, thus fostering the team atmosphere quickly. We have been able to get in two hours of practice a day this year, which we have not been able to do in the past so we are getting in shape a bit quicker." The strokes and mid-distances will be 155's calling cards this year. "Valerie and Rhiannon can pretty much swim anything," said Wozny. "I will be moving them around from meet to meet depending on the strengths of our opponents. I haven't really had that freedom before, so this year should be a lot of fun. They are two swimmers to watch as well. Valerie will go back to state this year and it may be in different events than last year. Valerie and Rhiannon will make our relays stronger, which might help us get one to state. Paige already is close in the breaststroke to state time and this is another one of our goals this year. We would love to get a relay or two to state along with a few more individual events." Wozny said the FVC should be quite competitive this year, listing her team, Huntley and Jacobs as potential top-tier contenders. "The conference is strong this year so it's anyone's meet to win," she said.

Elgin-Larkin co-opCoach: Carl Metzke

2014 finish: 10th place Upstate Eight

Top returning swimmers: Seniors Olivia Brownfield, Echo Boehm, junior Lilly Woerner, sophomores Nicole Levandowski, Makenna Downing

Key newcomers: Freshman Nicole Martinez

Outlook: Metzke said his swimmers have been hard at work thus far. "We are going to put in the work to be fast at the end of the season," he said. "Our keys to success are that hard work, lifting weights, building character and swimming. Those who put in the work to be successful at the end of the season will have the most success. If you can swim a lifetime best at the end of the season in your event, you are the definition of success to Elgin-Larkin swimming."

Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Brenda Czarnecki

2014 finish: Third place Fox Valley Conference

Top returning swimmers: Seniors Kelli Herron, Abigail Siefken, Angel Wong, Jaclyn Smitendorf, juniors Jacqueline Padal, Allie Kriegler, Ellie Ferency, Veronica Burgos, Ciara DelaMerced, sophomores Allison Cravens, Jordan McGuire

Key newcomers: Junior Kristen Czarnecki, freshman Katelyn Carlson

Outlook: Carnecki, Huntley's new coach, is hopeful her team can improve on last year's third-place league finish. "Overall, we are very well-balanced," she said. "I see a great deal of potential in the backstroke, fly, free and IM events. I also think as the season progresses our medley relay team will be very strong. The girls have really come together as a team over the first weeks of practice. The leadership shown by both the seniors and juniors, along with the depth of talent on the team will continue to develop and enhance the team's sense of unity and commitment to success." Carlson, a freshman, is looking strong in the backstroke, while Kristen Czarnecki brings junior-national level experience to the team. "My goal in my first season as coach is for the girls to push themselves beyond what they feel is possible and have a great time doing it," the coach said. "My focus is to build strong team unity and improve on last year's season by sending more individuals and a relay to state."

Jacobs-Hampshire co-opCoach: Emily Susmarski

2014 finish: Fox Valley Conference champions

Top returning swimmers: Seniors Jackie O'Connor, Sydney Erickson, junior Alexa Agoranos, sophomores Izzy Bavaro, Olivia Zawadzki

Key newcomers: Junior Sabrina Monser, sophomore Mady Gordon, freshmen Megan Foulks, Megan Hererera, Alex Peterson, Makaylin Monasterio, Tori Bernstein

Outlook: Bavaro headlines a list of returners for Jacobs-Hampshire. She qualified for state in the backstroke as a freshman. "We want to improve our technique and work hard to achieve our goals together," said Susmarski. The coach said two of the team's goals are to repeat as conference champions and qualify more swimmers for the state meet." She said the Crystal Lake co-op team is one to keep an eye on in the FVC heading into the season.

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