March 29, 2024
Girls Swimming

High school girls swimming: Team preview capsules

Coach Stephanie Wozny talks to the team during swim practice at Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake Wednesday, August 31, 2016.

Cary-Grove

Coach: Scott Lattyak (7th season)

Last year: Fifth at FVC Meet

Top returners: Ashlynn Baker, Sr.; Karsen Seeger, Sr.; Sarah Pilut, Jr.; Emily Havard, Jr.; Sejal Dhindsa, Jr.; Samantha Anthony, So.; Emma Boldwyn, So.; Krysta Rogers, Sr.; Kaci Brisco, Jr.

Key newcomers: Ayden Donfris, Fr.; Payton Walsh, Fr.

Noteworthy: Lattyak said he’s excited about the team dynamic this year, with a strong group of returners and two freshmen who have the talent to contribute right away. Baker was an FVC champion in the 200 freestyle last season. Donfris is by all accounts a freshman who can compete right away.

Crystal Lake co-op

Coach: Stephanie Wozny (10th season)

Last year: First at FVC Meet

Top returners: Paige Dalbke, Sr. (PR); Tessa Shorten, Sr. (PR); Valerie Tarazi, Jr. (PR); Rhiannon Wozny, So. (CLC); Caitlin Pieroni, So. (PR); Theresa Grivas, Jr. (CLS); Iliana Portincaso, Jr. (CLC); Hanna Smith, Sr. (CLS)

Key newcomers: Jamie Gindorf, Fr. (PR)

Noteworthy: Stephanie Wozy said they want to build on last year's success, improve on a fifth-place finish at sectionals and send more individuals to state. The defending undefeated conference champions bring back three individuals who won conference event titles last season in Dalbke, Tarazi and Wozny. Freshman Jamie GIndorf is expected to immediately compete at the varsity level.

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Amy Field (1st season)

Last year: Seventh at FVC Meet

Top returners: Natalya Damato, Sr.; Faith Kenaga, Sr.; Amy Merkelz, Sr; Mady Gomez, So.; Cailey Cimera So.

Key newcomers: Sara Merkelz, Fr.; Fiona Lukes Fr.

Noteworthy: Field, a first-year head coach after being an assistant last year, said the Chargers are rebuilding with a team of 30 that is majority underclassmen.

Huntley

Coach: Brenda Czarnecki (2nd season)

Last year: Fourth at FVC Meet

Top returners: Jacqueline Padal, Sr.;  Jaclyn Smitendorf, Sr.; Allie Kriegler, Sr.; Allison Cravens, Jr.; Jordan McGuire, Jr.; Katelyn Carlson, So.

Key newcomers: Lindsey Ferguson, Jr.; Hailey Hill, Sr.

Noteworthy: The Red Raiders add 10 freshman this season. Padal’s fourth at the FVC Meet in the 100 backstroke last year was the best finish from a returning individual. Ferguson is returning from injury to strengthen the Red Raiders' lineup.

Jacobs/Hampshire co-op

Coach: Emily Susmarski (3rd season)

Last year: Third at FVC Meet

Top returners: Izzy Bavaro, Jr.; Alexa Agoranos, Sr.; Megan Herrera, So.;, Olivia Zawadzki, Jr.

Noteworthy: Bavaro was a state qualifier as a freshman but missed out last season when the team didn’t have any state qualifiers, something Susmarski said she hopes will change this season.

McHenry

Coach: Craig Fowles (1st season)

Last year: Second at FVC Meet

Top returners: Hannah Lange, Sr.; Payton Lange, So.; Caileigh McCafferty, So., Megan Frost, So.

Key newcomers: Carly Wolf, Fr.; Kaitlyn Fogo, Fr.

Noteworthy: After finishing second in the conference last year, many see McHenry as the deepest team this year, led by the Lange sisters and McCafferty and others. Hannah Lange was a state qualifier two years ago and last year her younger sister, Payton made it as a freshman while Hannah missed out. Can they both make it in Hannah’s senior year?

Woodstock co-op

Coach: Renee Walker (3rd season)

Last year: Sixth at FVC Meet

Top returners: Samantha Curtis, Sr.; Margaret Zawadzki, Sr.

Key newcomers: Lucia Alcazar, Fr.; Angelina Scolio, Fr.

Noteworthy: Woodstock lost six seniors, including its top three individual finishers from the FVC meet last season. With six incoming freshmen, Walker said it will be "tough to pull off any dual meet wins, however I see some really strong individual growth and competitive swims this year." Walker also said she thinks the two freshmen can be sectional swimmers and compete for state qualifying at some point in the next four years.