Girls swimming and diving: Sectional scouting, Northwest
Scouting girls swimming and diving sectionals
Background: In swimming, advancement to the state meet is either by winning an event or by bettering the time standard. In diving, the sectional champions plus the next-best 32 scores from throughout the state earn a spot in the state field the following weekend at New Trier.
When: All sectionals begin with diving at 9 a.m., followed by swimming at 1 p.m.
State time standards:
200 medley relay: 1:48.58 200 free: 1:55.10
200 IM: 2:09.58 50 free: 24.39
100 fly: 58.18 100 free: 53.03
500 free: 5:09.63 200 free relay: 1:38.23
100 back: 58.69 100 breast: 1:06.76
400 free relay: 3:35.52
at BarringtonOutlook: Barrington, Stevenson, Fremd and Hersey look like the top competitors. The Fillies were dominant again in winning the Mid-Suburban League and boast a deep, balanced group that will score well and advance many entrants to state. Just winning a spot in Barrington's sectional lineup was a major accomplishment, as the team's third-best swimmer in many cases would have been a candidate to swim at state. Among the top competitors are Maggie Emary, Ally Penrod, Bridget O'Leary, Catherine Kitzman, Becca Galovich, Emma Pritchett, Addy Reader, Julie Vega, Emma Graves, Elisabeth Graves and Maggie Graves. All three Barrington relays have excellent chances to advance; the team's success here will be measured by how many of its second swimmers better the state standard. In the most recent rankings from Swimming in Illinois, Barrington is ranked No. 11 and Stevenson is No. 14. Stevenson, which won last weekend's North Suburban Conference meet at tied with Warren for the overall league title, doesn't have the quite the same depth as last season's team but will still be formidable. The Patriots are led by elite returning state qualifiers Iza Pelka and Ashley Carollo and have a large group of athletes who seem to be on the verge of taking the next step and joining the state meet voyage. Fremd also has high hopes. The Vikes have great opportunities both individually and in relays. Seniors Emily Bolger and Rebecca Ballo, both regulars at the state meet the last few seasons, lead the way. Senior Carly Goodsite, the MSL champ, is a returning state qualifier, sophomore Sophia Kuehn has dazzled lately, and there are plenty of others swimmers who, with a sizeable time drop, could join the state meet contingent. Hersey's top athlete is Olivia Kusio, who will be going after a fourth straight state meet qualification in the 100 breaststroke; she's also taken big strides in the 100 free and won that event at the MSL meet. Palatine has a terrific group led by returning state qualifier Jane Smith. She will join Ellis Nelson, Kate Burianova and Megan Obernesser on a 200 free relay with a chance at state advancement, and the Pirates have opportunities to advance in diving as well. St. Viator has a nice group, with Hannah Higginson leading the way, and strong relay options with Ritarose Battin, Ashley Alteri and Julie Warren. Cary-Grove will bring a quality group to the proceedings, too, and Buffalo Grove, led by Emily Schulstad, hopes to add to the momentum from a recent strong showing at the MSL meet. Even for teams without clear state meet candidates - Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Wheeling and Hoffman Estates - this is the weekend everyone has been shooting for in search of lifetime bests.
at Downers Grove NorthOutlook: Three Mid-Suburban League teams are in the field here - Conant, Schaumburg and Elk Grove. The Cougars' best chances to advance to state are senior sprinter Aly Wooley and freshman standout Megumi Komoto. Schaumburg's Hana Mollin is only a sophomore but is already a state meet veteran, having qualified last year; she is again well positioned to earn herself another spot at New Trier. Elk Grove's top candidate at earning another weekend of competition is freshman Natalie Wlodarz.
- Aaron Gabriel