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Scouting DuPage County girls swimming

Top teams: Neuqua Valley, Metea Valley, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard West/South co-op.

Top swimmers: Addison Trail/ Willowbrook Co-op: Elissa Haake, sr.; Natalie Obrzut, sr.; Anna Christiansen, sr.; Nancy Obrzut, so.; Benet: Catherine Meehan, sr.; Paige Smith, sr.; Jillian Devine, jr.; Jacqueline Yap, fr.; Megan Dobrolinsky, sr.; Maura Fitzgerald, fr.; Tabitha Torres, so.; Downers Grove North: Elizabeth Candel, jr.; Libby Benge, jr.; Downers Grove South: Annie Leinart, sr.; Melanie Scheiblein, jr. Glenbard North/East co-op: Amber Finke, jr.; Glenbard West/South co-op: Kate Morris, so. Jane Denenberg, sr.; Molly Rosenthal, sr.; Megan Murphy, sr.; Hinsdale Central: Anna Gruvberger, jr.; Rachel Fuechtman, sr. ; Anna Glowniak, sr.; Christina Kaufman, sr.; Hinsdale South: Bryn Larson, so.; Lexi Smith, fr.; Lake Park: Kathy Buff, sr.; Donna Kurek, sr.; Shannon Murphy, sr.; Metea Valley: Laurel Bludgen, jr.; Lucy Siwicki, jr.; Kellie Willhite, jr.; McKenna Stone, so.; Rylee Stone, sr.; Emaline Kerwin (diver) sr.; Naperville Central: Lisa Johnson, sr.; Alexa Puccini, jr.; Paige Collins, so.; Megan Campbell (diver) sr.; Natalie Stephens, sr. (diver), Naperville North: Kelly Zhou, jr.; Holly Wessel, so.; Taylor Wessel, sr.; Claire Ovens, sr.; Mia Sparacino, fr.; Megan Simonson, fr.; Claire Brown, so.; Becky Jennings (diver), jr.; Neuqua Valley: Kristen Stege, sr.; Rachel Stege, so.; Athena Salafatinos, sr.; Samantha Carlson (diver) sr.; Maxine Parkinson, jr.; Isabella Harder, jr.; Divya Kale, sr.; Tiffani Ruan, so.; Megan Ciezczak, so.; Waubonsie Valley: Lily Hunt, sr.; Lauren Lee, jr.; Rebecca Farber, sr.; Emily Hennessy, sr.; Kylie Mears, so.; Jessica Molnar, (diver), sr.; Wheaton Warrenville co-op : Sira Limbu, so.; Meda Federavicius, fr.; Maya Hutchinson, so.; West Chicago/Batavia/ Geneva co-op: Kelly Sego, jr.; Addy Novak, jr.; Annabelle Kinerk, jr.; Michalea Herwig, jr.; Ashley Sego, fr.;York: Nicole Bednarik, sr.; Amanda Polach, jr.; Brigitte Kammerdiener (diver) sr.; Claire Pfaff, so.; Nicole Demare, jr.; Delaney Tase, sr.

Outlook: Both Neuqua Valley and Metea Valley came up big in the postseason last year. Both had many underclassmen in their state lineup. The Wildcats, who scored with all three relays, finished seventh in the team standings at state. The Mustangs, who went top six in both free relays, finished right behind in eighth place. The Wildcats are really deep with most of their state team returning, along with a group of veteran non-qualifiers who will push them for spots. Parkinson, Rachel Stege and Ruan all scored in individual events last year and they're all contenders for top three. "Parkinson could be a breakout performer this season," said Neuqua coach Jason Niforatos. "She can swim any race and has gotten stronger in the off-season." The competition for positions will only strengthen Neuqua's relays. The coach's goal is to finish in the top six in all three. "We like to think that we'll be in the hunt for a trophy," Niforatos said. "We just have to work hard and keep getting faster as the season progresses."

School District 204 rival Metea Valley isn't close to having the Wildcats' depth, so it may not be a threat in dual meets or weekend invites. But the Mustangs have a strong core of returning veterans and are made for the state meet. Metea Valley is led by McKenna Stone, who is coming off a spectacular freshman season. She finished fifth at state in the 50 free, while teammate Willhite was eighth in the 100 breaststroke. McKenna Stone is a top-flight all-around swimmer who gives coach Mark Jager plenty of options. She and Willhite will also be keys to the Metea relay teams. Their performance and work ethic raises the bar for the entire squad. "They're having a positive impact across the board," Jager said. "The other kids have raised their expectations and their work-rate because they want to be on the same level as McKenna and Kellie. The kids are pushing each other. There's more competitiveness at practice, and that can only be a positive sign for the postseason." Jager also reports that they have several really good freshmen who will add to the mix.

The rest of the DuPage Valley Conference teams will provide healthy competition for the leaders as they do every year. Naperville Central, which finished just outside the top 20 last year, is led by Johnson. She finished 11th in the 100 backstroke and ninth in the 200 free and is looking to move up to the top six this year. Puccini and Collins will be major contributors on the relays. "I like what I'm seeing so far from the returning swimmers and some promising newcomers," coach Mike Adams said. "There's a ton of people trying to get those relay spots. I'm looking forward to how fast this team will be at the end of the year."

Waubonsie Valley had a lot of young talent but did not make it to Saturday at last year's state meet. Those youngsters are a year older now and they're primed to improve things in the postseason. "We have the leadership with the upperclassmen showing the others the hard work it takes," coach Katie Peterson said. "And we have a group of good young ones coming up who can fit into key roles. Hennessy in the fly, Farber in the backstroke and Mears in the 100 and 200 freestyle, are all possible point producers. Diver Molnar is a consistent winner who will dive in college.

Naperville North is focusing on getting three relays to state. The medley and 200 free look good and coach Andy McWhirter predicts the 400 free will develop over time. The Huskies are an interesting combination of successful upperclassmen and speedy freshmen and sophomores. Diver Jennings is a state qualifier who is looking to move up to score. "We have a promising mix and I think we'll surprise people because our kids are developing fast."

Outside of the DVC Glenbard West/South co-op was one of the great finishers at state with freshman Morris putting in a spectacular performance. She finished third in the 100 free and seventh in the 200 free. She was also on the 200 free relay that finished 10th. "She's a truly amazing athlete who is capable of swimming five individual events and on all three relays," coach Chris Flamion said. "Our success will be determined by the rest of the team." Rosenthal can score in the 500 free and Denenberg is a potential scorer in either the back or the fly. "This is the best team we ever had," Flamion said. "With a good sectional we can get someone in every event."

Hinsdale Central finished 13th at state but graduated nine starting seniors. However, plenty of talent remains, led by Gruvberger, who was fifth in the 100 butterfly. Glowniak is a state-level breaststroker. Coach Bob Barber believes that with the strong freshman class coming in, the Red Devils can qualify for three relays and several individual swims. "We're still young and we have a lot to learn," Barber said. "But we're hoping to be competitive in the postseason."

Things are looking up at Benet under first-year coach Nora Schroedter. The Redwings are optimistic that Meehan can qualify in the butterfly and that Dobrolinsky can do it in the fly and/or the 100 free. Yap and Fitzgerald are expected to challenge the state cut in the backstroke and Torres in the breaststroke. Schroedter believes that her team has a shot at qualifying in both the 200 medley and the 400 free relays. "The girls are working hard and they're progressing quickly," Schroedter said. "I'm excited to see how they'll compete." There's also a group of freshmen who are year-round swimmers and that makes the future look even brighter.

Hinsdale South was second in conference last year and the Hornets hope to make it that high again. Larson can qualify in the freestyle sprints, while Smith is an excellent backstroker.

York's Bednarik is a versatile swimmer who could make state in the 200 IM, the sprints or the breaststroke. DeMare is a definite threat in the fly and the IM. Plach and Pfaff are excellent freestylers. "We should be able to place some individual qualifiers and we have the depth to put our relays in position to qualify," coach Jeff Skalon said. Lake Park will be carried by a strong senior class, but depth will be a question.

While Glenbard West/ South is the obvious favorite among the co-op programs, there are exciting things happening at the other DuPage County co-ops. West Chicago/Batavia is now also combined with Geneva, which contributes to the program's growth. Sego is a returning qualifier in both the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke. Coach Nick Parry expects her to take the next step and score some points. She also gives the team a good chance to qualify in some relays. The other girls listed are primed to help her get to state in a relay or two.

Addison Trail/Willowbrook's Haake is a three time state qualifier who has committed to swim at Purdue. The Obrzuts and Christiansen give Addison Trail/Willowbrook better depth than it has had in recent years.

Wheaton Warrenville co-op has the most girls swimming than it has in a while. There's a returning qualifier in Limbu in the butterfly and an outstanding freshman in Federavicius.

Glenbard North/East has a standout in Finke who could score in the backstroke and could also make it to state in the 100 free.

Key dates: Sept. 7-8: Neuqua Valley Invite; Sept. 8, Hornet Invite: Sept. 15: Wildcat Invite, West Chicago; Sept. 21-22: Wildcat Championships, West Chicago; Downers Grove North Invite; Sept. 22: Rosary invite; Sept. 28-29: Downers Grove South Invitational; Oct. 6: Naperville North Invite; Oct. 11: Neuqua Valley at Metea Valley; Oct. 13: Evanston Diving Invite; Oct. 19-20: Metea Invite; Oct. 26-27: Conference tournaments; Nov. 10: Sectional meets; Nov. 16-17: IHSA meet at Evanston.

- Neil Shalin

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