Girls swimming: Scouting Lake County
NORTH SUBURBAN
LIBERTYVILLECoach: Erik Rogers (10th year)
Last season: Third in NSC meet, third in Vernon Hills sectional, 34th in state meet
Top returning swimmers: Emma Gleason (Jr.), Paige Rankin (Jr.), Alex Eastmond (Jr.), Anna Heard (Jr.), Caitlin McCarty (So.)
Newcomers: Ava Amidei (Jr.), Joelle Ocheltree (So.), Jordan Filicette (Fr.)
Outlook: The Wildcats feature a junior-heavy lineup but with plenty of state meet experience. Emma Gleason was a state qualifier in four events (200 medley relay, 200 free relay, 100 butterfly, 200 free). She has already eclipsed the state-qualifying time in her best event, the 100 fly, on three occasions and is looking to better her eight-place state medal from a year ago. Alex Eastmond also made it to state in four events (100 fly, 100 back, 200 free, medley relay), while Paige Rankin qualified in the medley and 200 freestyle. "We're hoping to get the relays in the top-12 (at state)," said coach Erik Rogers, whose girls are 1-2 in duals. "We get most of our girls back next year, but we're ready to take that step, as long as we keep progressing."
MUNDELEINCoach: Rahul Sethna (sixth year)
Last season: Fourth in NSC meet, fourth in Vernon Hills sectional
Top returning swimmers: Mikayla Gruber (Sr.), Audrey Rehm (Sr.), Kate Hay (Sr.), Angela Kordik (Sr.), Ella Krauss (Sr.), Cayce Parker (Sr.), Angela Bowes (Jr.), Sarah Parduhn (Jr.), Hannah Stanley (Jr.), Lauren Carlson (So.), Ella Fidanze (So.), Adry Kasemets (So.), Jennifer Lopez (So.), Jodi Lawson (So.), Elle Mishler (So.), Jaime Allore (So.)
Newcomers: Victoria Coleman (So., diving), Sarah Larson (So.), Kamryn Laureys (So.), Delilah Ciezak (Fr.), Lauren Geary (Fr.), Margaret Russ (Fr.), Remy Loerakker (Fr.)
Outlook: The Mustangs will miss four-time state qualifier Maggie Franz, who's diving for the University of Evansville. But plenty of firepower returns, with seven experienced upperclassmen ready to make an impact once again. "We took a big step forward last year in terms of adding depth to our team," coach Rahul Sethna said. "We'll be able to compete better at three-deep invites as well as be a better dual meet team."
STEVENSONCoach: Kevin Zakrzewski (fourth year)
Last season: First in NSC meet, second in Barrington sectional, 15th in state meet
Top returning swimmers: Ashley Carollo (Sr.), Claire Huang (Sr.) Lauren Maloney (Sr.), Sherry Mestan (Sr., diving), Jennifer Xiong (Sr.), Abigail Li (Jr.), Amy Sliwicki (Jr., diving), Lucy Stevens (Jr.), Maddy O'Donnell (Jr.), Liz Cao (So.), Jessica Nyborg (So.), Caludia Rzeznik (Fr.).
Newcomers: Natalie Wess (Sr.), Natalie Nyborg (Sr.), Victoria Kim (Sr.), Ziv Marco (Sr.), Eleanor Michaud (Sr.), Hanna Cloeter (Jr.), Ellen Maloney (Jr., diving), Brianna Lu (So.), Sana Arvid (Fr.), Katherine Makarska (Fr.), Norah Polonsky (Fr.), Shreeya Sinha (Fr., diving)
Outlook: The Patriots have a boatload of talent. It just needs more varsity experience. "We're excited about the direction the program is going," coach Kevin Zakrzewski said. "The potential is there. We have a lot of work to put in but could do something really special this fall. Ashley Carollo is back after taking fourth at state in the 100 backstroke last November. "She did a lot of great work this summer and is ready to throw down," Zakrzewski said. "She wants to win it this year." Carollo also joins Lucy Stevens and Maddy O'Donnell from the state-qualifying 400 free relay, which finished 11th at state. "We have a realistic shot at getting all three relays to state," Zakrzewski said, "and an outside shot at scoring in all three."
WARRENCoach: Chris Bertana (sixth year)
Last season: Second in NSC meet, second in Vernon Hills sectional, 39th in state meet
Top returning swimmers: Alyssa Church (Sr.), Carissa Barker (Sr.), Ellie Nerheim (Sr.), Maia Russell (Sr.), Maddie Hoffman (Jr., diving), Annie Stingle (So.), Grace Towson (So.)
Newcomers: Grace Bevers (Fr.), Hailey Benoit (Fr.), Chloe Yoder (Fr.), Margaret Dorr (Fr.), Jordan Elkinton (Fr.), Anna Erpenbeck (Fr.), Trinity Springer (Fr.), Alyssa Wallander (Fr.), Olivia Weiss (Fr.)
Outlook: The Blue Devils made plenty of waves last year, finishing second at sectionals and beating NSC rival Stevenson in a dual meet, which helped them to gain a share of their first conference title. But a ton of seniors graduated, including state-qualifying divers Carly Baun and Teagon Albert. Baun became the school's first diver to make it to the semifinals in consecutive years, plus the first to reach the top-16. Solid leadership and state experience returns with Alyssa Church and Carissa Barker anchoring the relays. Annie Stingle looks to get back to state in the 100 butterfly. Church, Barker and Ellie Nerheim serve as captains. "Our goal is to stay strong and repeat our performance in conference," coach Chris Bertana said, "and, of course, try and qualify as many girls for state."
CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH
VERNON HILLSCoach: AJ Block (first year)
Last season: First in Vernon Hills sectional, tie for 23rd in state meet
Top returning swimmers: Ellie Long (Sr.), Drew Petereit (Sr.), Aly Landis (Jr.), Alexsandra Skatchkov (Jr.); Casey Craffey (So.), Anna Long (So.), Claudia Yoon (So.)
Newcomers: Eliana Schneider (Sr.), Jami Ellen (Sr.), Avery Longdon (Jr.), Emma Hermata (So.), Emma Zhang (Fr.), Avery Kamai (Fr.)
Outlook: New coach AL Block brings a plethora of experience in coaching and competing to a program that won its first sectional championship last fall. "These gritty girls work hard day in and day out," said Block, who spent 10 years at Highland Park High School. "They just love to race. I can't wait to see the results in November." As a freshman, Casey Craffey finished ninth in the 200 free at state last year, while Drew Petereit was 11th in the 50 freestyle. Aly Landis placed third in diving at state a year ago.
- Compiled by John Phelps