CRETE-MONEE
Swimmers to watch: Lauren Carlos, So., 100 butterfly, relays; Mia Foy, Sr., butterfly, freestyle; Teja Foy, So., 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, relays.
Outlook: First-year coach Donna Debok has a young team, but the Warriors have some talent in the Foys and Carlos.
Quote: "These girls have a lot of heart." -- Debok
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR
Swimmers to watch: Hannah Ongman, Sr., backstroke, freestyle, butterfly, relays; Rebecca Mathews, Jr., breaststroke, I.M., freestyle, relays; Gabi Cipriano, So., butterfly, I.M., freestyle, relays; Anna Tenny, Jr., freestyle, backstroke, relays.
Outlook: Even though the total number of girls is a little less than expected, the Vikings hope to keep their reputation as a girls swimming powerhouse alive this season. Coach Tim Caldwell believes that the presence of Ongman, a returning state qualifier in the 100 back, will greatly benefit the rest of his team.
Quote: "We are low on numbers (and are) missing a true stud, but we have the talent to compete due to a great work ethic and better-than-average talent. If we work as hard all season as we are now, we will be happy with the results." -- Caldwell
MARIAN CATHOLIC
Swimmers to watch: Katelyn Kresal, Jr., freestyle, backstroke, butterfly; Sophia Sesto, Fr., backstroke, freestyle; Candice Harris, Jr., butterfly, freestyle; Carlee Wieser, Sr., freestyle; Erin Grupp, Sr., butterfly, freestyle; Isabelle Keating, Fr., freestyle.
Outlook: The Spartans are entering the new swim season on a number of high notes and with high expectations. Kresal, a returning state qualifier, will be looked upon as a leader as the team hopes to accomplish big things throughout the season, especially in the conference and sectional meets. Freshmen Sesto and Keating also appear to be promising.
Quote: "With a varsity team consisting of only two seniors and two juniors, I wasn't sure if we were going to be mature enough and hungry enough to do what it takes to move to the next level. (But) the girls have already passed my expectations and are doing workouts that we didn't see until late September (of) last year. I'm very excited not only about the talent of this team, but (also) about the attitude they bring to workouts and meets. With four of the top 10 teams in the state in our conference, if we can move into the fifth spot, it will be a great accomplishment this season." -- coach Sean Scanlon
THORNTON FRACTIONAL
Swimmers to watch: Annie Zupan, Jr., 500 freestyle, 100 freestyle, backstroke; Destinee Ganious, Sr., 500 freestyle, breaststroke; Jessica Maricich, Fr., butterfly, 200 freestyle, breaststroke; Julia Bertrand, Jr., backstroke, 50 freestyle; Ninah Bertrand, Fr., breaststroke.
Outlook: If the first two meets offered any indication as to how the remainder of the season will turn out, the Thornton Fractional team will be fine. Zupan, a junior, is expected to emerge as a team leader for T.F., and, as a whole, the girls are improving times and displaying positive mental attitudes along the way. Newcomers Maricich and Bertrand should also contribute nicely.
Quote: "I am very excited to see where this season will take the girls. Many of the girls have stepped up their game in order to reach their future goals. We have incorporated more core training in order to strengthen the girls' muscles and prevent any injury. So far, the program is benefiting all (of them)." -- coach Taren O'Toole
-- Compiled by Times Correspondent Kenny Karrson
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