Duneland Athletic Conference
CHESTERTON
Athletes to watch: Julia Campbell, Sr., distance, back; Kate Curley, Sr., distance, IM; Vanessa Krause, Fr., fly, free; Erin Socha, Jr., fly; Madisyn Coudriet, Jr., sprints; Brittany Borzych, So., breast.
Outlook: State champion Olivia Kabacinski plus consistent state qualifier Maddie Miller have both graduated, but newcomer Krause is a talented age-grouper should have an impact at the state meet. State veterans Campbell and Curley plus a strong supporting cast have veteran coach Kevin Kinel keeping his expectations at a high level.
Quote: "Our goals coming in to this season are the same as last: Win conference, sectionals and improve on last years fifth place state finish." !~ Coach Kevin Kinel
CROWN POINT
Athletes to watch: Aly Tetzloff, So., fly/back; Holly Schuster, Jr., IM/distance; Rachel Bukowski, Jr., sprints.
Outlook: The Bulldogs finished second in sectional and No. 10 in the state finals last season, both significant accomplishments. They have the swimmers – especially in Tetzloff and Schuster – to improve on that success this year.
Quote: "This year, we have to push ourselves to see how far we can go. I have told all of the girls – do or do not. There is no try.” !~ Coach Bryon Angerman
LAKE CENTRAL
Athletes to watch: Liz Markiewicz, Sr., fly/back; Tracilyn Muszalski, Jr., distance; Holly Spears, Jr., sprints.
Outlook: The Indians look to improve with at least three state-level swimmers back and a young group of underclassmen that will provide depth and balance.
Quote: "I think we'll be very competitive in the DAC and in the sectional. I'm excited to see how these girls perform. We should be able to move up this year." !~ Coach Todd Smolinski
LAPORTE
Athlete to watch: Carly Jackson, Sr., distance, fly.
Outlook: Jackson was 10th in the fly and 14th in the 500 free at state last season — and she has a possibility to improve on those performances this time around.
MERRILLVILLE
Athletes to watch: Kara Phillips, Sr., diving; Kennedy Wilck, Jr., fly; Caitlinn Caddick, Jr., back/free.
Outlook: Added depth will help the team improve in relays.
Quote: "We are a young, hardworking team. We are still looking to see where specific swimmers are going to fit into the lineup.” !~ Coach Ladd Downham
MICHIGAN CITY
Athletes to watch: Erin Callaghan, Jr., breast; Jaymie Pliskey, Jr., fly; Lauren Miltenberger, Jr., sprints; Lizzie Quinlan, Fr., sprints, distance; Allison Van Etten, Fr., sprints.
Outlook: Pliskey is a proven commodity, and coach Dan Jenkins has lofty expectations for freshmen Quinlan and Van Etten.
Quote: "We have a pretty diverse group of swimmers, so that will give me a lot of options with our lineup. I feel pretty good about this team." !~ Jenkins
PORTAGE
Athletes to watch: Jordan Parker, Jr., back, fly; Courtney Joseph, Jr., IM, fly.
Outlook: Four-time sectional champ Sierra King graduated, but talented freshman Ali Sobkowski (free), Laryssa Vaclavik (free, breast) and Rachael Joseph (free) should help bolster the lineup.
Quote: "We’ve got a young team this year, so we’re looking to gain some experience this year with our large group of underclassmen." !~ Coach Greg Mundt
VALPARAISO
Athletes to watch: Kaitlyn Steffus, Sr., fly, distance; Khalela El-Naggar, Sr., diving; Sydney Perry, Sr., free; Erin Delahunty, So., free.
Outlook: The Vikings graduated a large senior class, but state veterans El-Naggar and Steffus anchor a mixture of returnees and talented newcomers.
Quote: "We are excited to see what some of our girls who have waited in their shadow can do when they get the chance to shine." !~ Coach Pete Sattler
Great Lakes Athletic Conference
CLARK
Athletes to watch: Sara Kruszynski, Jr., Andrea Zamora, Sr.
Outlook: The defending champion Pioneers lost seven seniors to graduation, but an influx of new swimmers should keep the team competitive.
Quote: "We have a nice mix of veterans and youngsters on the team, and more depth.” !~ Coach Diane Del Rio
GAVIT
Athletes to watch: Helen Shelton, Sr., sprints; Katie Goodrich, Sr., IM/fly; Kristina Palmerin, Sr., back.
Outlook: With many new competitors out, the Gators have their sights set on moving up in both conference and sectional.
Quote: "We will be making laps count this year instead of counting laps.” !~ Coach Courtney Smith
HAMMOND
Athletes to watch: Kristen Powers, Sr., free/back; Stephanie Tatino, Sr., free.
Outlook: Coach Sue Ann Mathewson continues to recruit while focusing the group on technique and skill drills.
Quote: "Hopefully, we can add a few more girls and provide some depth to our relays.” !~ Mathewson
MORTON
Athletes to watch: Lili Mendoza, Jr., distance; Cierra Charboneau, Sr., fly/free; Courtney Keilman, Jr., IM/fly.
Outlook: Coach Brian Rycerz has 16 swimmers out this year on a regular basis, so the Govs are poised to make a splash in conference.
Quote: "We have several new girls on the team, and many of them bring in a good skill set." !~ Rycerz
Greater South Shore Conference
BISHOP NOLL
Athletes to watch: Jacque Lelo, Jr.; Breanna Banske, Jr.; Kaelyn Czubak, Jr.
Outlook: The increased depth is allowing the program to become much more competitive, especially in conference.
Quote: "I am confident that the girls will rise to the occasion and have a competitive year." !~ Coach Pam Armagast
CALUMET
Athletes to watch: Roberta Pivoriute, Sr., free/breast; Elizabeth Stanford, So., IM/fly; Adrian Jimenez, So., sprints.
Outlook: The Warriors’ numbers continue to increase, and that alone has generated enthusiasm.
Quote: "Everyone has accomplished quite a lot in a short time.” !~ Coach AnnMarie Keene
NORTH NEWTON
Athletes to watch: Lexi Strubing, Sr., back/free; Shelby Bodie, Sr., breast; Rebecca Schara, Fr., back/breast.
Outlook: With 17 girls out on a daily basis, the team has both talent and depth.
Quote: "Our outlook is good for this year, even though we lost some good swimmers to graduation.” !~ Coach Audrey Combs-Long
SOUTH CENTRAL
Athletes to watch: Tori Klimczak, Sr., sprints.
Outlook: Klimczak was fifth in both the 50 and 100 free at last year's Chesterton Sectional, so the goal remains: advance to state.
WHEELER
Athletes to watch: Isabella Popovich, Sr., sprints; Audrey Schnell, Sr., back, IM; Katie Wong, So., free, fly; Sara Helermich, So., distance.
Outlook: Returning swimmers such as Wong and Helermich will have to build off last year's new found experiences to help this team improve.
Northwest Crossroads Conference
GRIFFITH
Athletes to watch: Allie Meece, Sr., free; Shannon Kuna, Sr., diving; Shelby Gannon, sprints.
Outlook: The team goal is to get several swimmers back on the second day of sectionals, and make a move up in conference. Considering the competition, it’s an ambitious goal.
Quote: "We hope to capitalize on our senior leadership for a higher and faster showing at conference and sectional.” !~ Coach Danelle Bulatovich
HIGHLAND
Athletes to watch: Jordan Galovich, Sr., distance; Jesse Zendajas, Jr., distance; Jackie Smailis, So., back/fly.
Outlook: The majority of last years’ sectional surprise team is back for another round.
Quote: "This is a smart team; they know what they need to do as well as how to do it." !~ coach Ryan Harrington
HOBART
Athletes to watch: Alivia Pender, Jr., fly/free; Kaylee Gubricky, So., free/breast; Jordan Benton, Sr., sprints; Sydney Hicks, Jr., sprints.
Outlook: Pender and Gubricky can make some noise at sectionals for first-year coach John Foddril.
Quote: "We have a lot of talent on this team, and I think we will surprise some people this year.” !~ Foddril
KANKAKEE VALLEY
Athletes to watch: Abbey Sittema, Jr., sprints; Madison Badicka, Jr., sprints; Alysia Beenes, breast.
Outlook: Coach Kevin Stephens has a lot of depth in returnees to have a repeat of last year’s success. The team goal is to try to improve their conference standing this season.
Quote: "We have very good foundation, and we need to build on that." !~ Stephens
LOWELL
Athletes to watch: Morgan Campbell, Sr., IM, back; Rachel Smith, Jr., IM, fly; Mikki Wood, Fr., distance.
Outlook: Eleven of the team's 16 swimmers are freshmen. To say that it is a rebuilding year is an understatement.
Quote: "Each of the new swimmers has taken to learning new strokes and events. We want to get the girls the point where they feel the season was a success.” !~ Coach Sherry Hilbrich
MUNSTER
Athletes to watch: Mary Beth Blocher, Jr., sprints; Nikki Smith, So., IM/fly; Emily Wimmer, Sr., breast/free; Emily Lagestee, Jr., back/free; Mary Bridget Baeza, So., IM/breast.
Outlook: Coach Matt Pavlovich has most of his stars returning from last year’s team that finished ninth at state, and he also has a strong incoming group of freshmen that will provide depth and balance.
Quote: "Last season is over. Our girls know the challenges of our schedule," !~ Pavlovich
OTHERS
RENSSELAER
Athletes to watch: Rielle Zeider, Sr., fly/breast; Sydney Dobson, So., fly/back.
Outlook: The Bombers have strong group of incoming freshmen led by Lauren Hunter, Lauren Powell, and Ava Davisson.
Quote:“We have a lot of quality young swimmers, and I think we can do well both in conference and in sectional.” !~ Coach Jill Henady
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