Girls Swimming: Top swimmers, divers will compete at Glenbrook South

Updated: November 8, 2011 8:20PM

Some of the best clubs and swimmers will compete Saturday at Glenbrook South, one week before the State Meet at New Trier.

The sectional will feature defending state champion New Trier and runner-up Loyola, as well as two state champions in Glenbrook South’s Olivia Smoliga and New Trier’s Samantha James.

And that’s not a bad thing.

“It is good,” New Trier assistant coach Mac Guy said. “It will really ratchet up the competition.”

Maine South coach Don Kura said that’s good for his Hawks and most likely will benefit every swimmer trying to qualify for the State Meet.

“We have swam our best at meets against teams like New Trier, Evanston and Glenbrook South,” he said. “We don’t want to be in a slow sectional. We feel confident being here.”

The Trevians, owners of a record 11 state championships, are the prohibitive favorites to win the sectional title and send the most girls onto State. But the Ramblers and Titans aren’t too far behind. Both teams figure to advance a number of swimmers and divers to New Trier on Nov. 18-19.

“I hate to admit how good New Trier is,” Smoliga said. “They can put two girls in every event and be good. That’s insane.

“But I’d love it if we were in their shoes.”

Loyola’s Michelle Garland always gets excited this time of the season.

“I still remember my freshman year swimming at sectionals for the first time,” she said. “It’s so intense. This is going to be a good one.”

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