Girls swimming and diving: Neuqua Valley keeps state repeat in sight
When Jason Niforatos took over as girls swimming coach at Neuqua Valley in 2013 he was determined that his team would focus on the daily process of individual development through hard work and team unity rather than on year-end results.
Last year the Wildcats rode that process and delivered the team's first state championship at Evanston.
With most of that squad back, the Wildcats are one of the favorites to be in the mix to repeat their postseason achievement.
"We had and still have a very talented and dedicated group of athletes," Niforatos said. "But they know that in order to achieve their individual and team goals they have to do everything in practice, at meets and in the off-season that will make them better swimmers and able to meet the challenges of sectionals and the state meet. They have to focus on the process that emphasizes hard work, fundamentals and team unity."
The run to the championship featured state titles in both free relays and a state record-breaking performance of 4:46 in the 500 freestyle by Rachel Stege. Returning from those victorious relays are Maxine Parkinson, Megan Ciezczak and Tiffanie Ruan. Only Kristen Stege graduated and there are numerous people in line to fill a relay spot.
In addition, Parkinson was second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 IM, Ciezczak was sixth in the 50 free and Ruan was sixth in the 100 free. The Wildcats scored 185 points in their victory over second-place Rosary, which finished with 169.
"Our girls were focused inward, doing the work they had to do while still having fun throughout those final weeks," Niforatos said. "They were concentrating on building on their daily work to get ready for that exciting state meet environment. The result speaks for itself. We didn't realize we were going to win until we won."
Based on last year's results, the Wildcats' closest competitors will be neighboring rival Metea Valley, which finished seventh with 85 points. Though they don't have Neuqua's depth, the Mustangs have a core of outstanding performers who should put them right back in the mix.
The Mustangs were second behind Neuqua Valley in the 400 free relay. The quartet of Laurel Bludgen, Aimee Patterson, Kellie Willhite and McKenna Stone returns intact. They were also second in the 200 free relay with Bludgen, Willhite and Stone returning. Stone was second in both the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle.
"Our free relays are strong and we would like them to win this year," said Metea coach Mark Jager. "And McKenna is a contender to win in the sprints. We believe we can finish higher as a team this year, and we have some talented young people who can help us reach that goal."
Glenbard West-South co-op, which finished ninth at state, has a pair of returning standouts in O'Connell and Field. However, according to new coach Miles Ritchie, Kate Morris, who won the 200 freestyle will not swim for her high school team this year. Instead she will spend the year pursuing her dream to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Trials.
Naperville Central, which finished 12th at state, is always in the thick of things in the postseason. Coach Mike Adams' Redhawks include a rich blend of versatile veterans with a promising group of underclassmen coming up behind them.
Puccini and Collins, who tied for ninth in the 100 butterfly return to lead the returners. Both are the symbols of that versatility that will be a key factor in this year's success.
"Both are candidates to swim any event at sectionals and state," Adams said. "They're both usually leading the lanes in practice. When you have two girls who can do that it encourages the other girls to do the same. Everyone wants to step in line behind them."
Those two and Sanders are back from the 200 medley relay that finished eighth and Puccini and Collins return from the 11th-place 200 free relay.
"I'm encouraged by where our team is going," Adams said. "Our hope is for this group to put together the best possible finish."
Hinsdale Central, another team that steps up in the postseason, finished 16th. The Red Devils will be led by Anna Gruvberger, who finished 12th in the fly.
West Chicago-Batavia-Geneva co-op, which had one of its strongest state meets in years, finished in the top 20. It is led by senior Kelly Sego and her partners on the ninth-place 200 medley relay team. They're looking to go top six in the relay this time around.
"All the returning veterans had good summers," coach Nick Parry said. "If they're all firing during the season we should be strong on Friday at state. We're expecting to be competitive again."
Top DuPage County swimmers and divers
Addison Trail-Willowbrook co-op: Nancy Obrzut, jr.; Benet: Jillian Devine, sr.; Tabitha Torres, jr.; Maura Fitzgerald, so.; Downers Grove North: Libby Benge, sr.; Olivia Asay, so.; Amelia Carlson, jr.; Jessica Phillips, sr.; Downers Grove South: Melanie Scheiblein, sr.; Audrey Mahoney, so.; Madeline Padavic, jr.; Jorie Selig, sr.; Glenbard East-North co-op: Amber Finke, sr.; Glenbard West-South co-op: Katie O'Connell, so.; Madi Field, sr.; Hinsdale Central: Anna Gruvberger, sr.; Roslyn Tischke (diver), jr.; Melanie Quinones, jr.; Lauren Biegel, so.; Kit Schneider, fr.; Kendall Pickering, fr.; Olivia Suliga, fr.; Caroline Kramer, fr.; Hinsdale South: Bryn Larson, jr.; Lexi Smith, so.; Metea Valley: Lauren Bludgen, sr.; Kellie Willhite, sr.; McKenna Stone, jr.; Aimee Patterson, sr.; Lanie Patterson, sr.; Naperville Central: Alexa Puccini, sr.; Paige Collins, jr.; Samantha Weigel, jr.; Jessica Sanders, jr.; Grace Willard, sr.; Morgan Sokol, so.; Naperville North: Kelly Zhou, sr., Becky Jennings (diver), sr., Holly Wessel, jr.; Megan Simonson, jr.; Claire Brown, jr.; Cambria Swanson, so.; Maddie Konrad, so.; Neuqua Valley: Rachel Stege, jr.; Maxine Parkinson, sr.; Isabella Harder, sr.; Tiffanie Ruan, jr.; Megan Ciezczak, jr.; Jane Riehs (diver), jr.; Teagan Michalek, sr.; Sophie Neng, so.; Elle Jacobsen (diver), fr.; Waubonsie Valley: Kylie Mears, jr.; Lauren Lee, sr.; Elle Filipiak, so.; West Chicago-Batavia-Geneva co-op: Kelly Sego, sr.; Annabelle Kinerk, sr.; Michaela Herwig, sr.; Ashley Sego, so.; Alaina Gilsinn, jr.; York: Amanda Polach, sr.; Moleigh Waldherr, sr.