Girls swimming: Conferences at a glance

Updated: November 14, 2011 7:51PM

Duneland Athletic Conference

Depth is one constant that has continually propelled the Chesterton girls swimming team. Not only did the Trojans (11-0, 7-0 DAC) blow through their region schedule, including a rout over perennial power Munster, but the squad had the area’s best finish at state (fourth). Seniors Olivia Kabaciski (state runner up in 50 and 100 free) and Maddie Miller (14th in state in the 100 back) return to lead a group that includes six notable freshmen.

A strong second to Chesterton in the conference is the powerful Crown Point program. The Bulldogs (11-2, 6-1) placed a respectable 13th at state. This year CP has a few newcomers that’ll add to swimmers such as senior Hannah Raspopovich (13th in state in the 100 breast) and sophomore Holly Schuster (200 IM champ in the sectional).

Multiple state qualifiers also spurred Lake Central to success last season. The Indians are hopeful that the momentum (5-2 overall) carries over with the return of performers such as senior Shelby Carroll (12th in state in the 100 back, qualified in two relays), junior Liz Markiewicz (qualified in the 100 fly and two relays) and sophomore Holly Spears (qualified in the 50 free and 200 free relay).

Valparaiso returns as one of the most balanced teams with both tested swimmers and divers. The Vikings competed in five events at state last year and qualifiers like senior Allie Lamberson, who qualified in the 50 free, 100 fee and two relays at state, and junior Khalela El-Naggar, who took sixth at the sixth at the Penn Diving Regional, return to a robust group of 35 swimmers. Around 10 members of this year’s program are newcomers.

Another balanced squad is LaPorte. Though the Slicers (10-6 last season) lost a couple of strong players to graduation, the team of 28 swimmers is led by junior Carly Jackson (11th in the 500 free and 12th in the 100 fly at the state meet). An additional source of scoring is sophomore newcomer Abbie Fryer, who’s projected to go far in the diving category.

Amid the stout DAC clubs, Portage (6-6, 2-5) doesn’t have quite as much depth. However the depth the Indians do have is pretty notable. Leading the way is senior Sierra King (three-time defending sectional champ in the 100 breast). Though Portage lost a sectional scorer in Erika McEwan to graduation, a couple new faces fill the roster.

NW Crossroads
Conference

For the second straight season Munster starts under the leadership of a new coach, as boys’ coach Matt Pavlovich steps over to grab the reigns. The transition isn’t going to be that steep, however, as the Seahorses return with a solid foundation from the team that went 9-2, 5-0 NCC and finished seventh at state. Though two key divers graduated, swimmers such as senior Brittany Gilbert (10th in state in both the 100 back and the 100 fly) will help keep the program’s tradition alive.

After finishing second in conference last season, Lowell (5-1 NCC) is again striving for a similar finish. Six swimmers were lost to graduation, but with the return of sophomore Rachel Smith (100 fly and 200 IM) the Devils are looking to maintain consistency in the program’s strong suit, the stroke events. Through the transition the girls are trying to form a stronger bond.

There’s been a trend for Highland over the past couple of seasons: it starts off rough, but smooths out before the postseason begins. After last season’s 2-9 record, the still young nucleus is finding its way. Returnees such as junior Jordan Gelovich (50 and 100 free) and sophomore Jesse Zendejas (all-around swimmer) are expected to stand out. Another key could be freshman Jackie Smailis, who’s currently out with an injury but comes from a talented swimming family.

The number of swimmers looks good for Kankakee Valley, but a couple of graduation losses, including top swimmer Breanne Chevrette, set the Kougars back. To stay competitive (KV was 10-2, 3-2 NCC last year) it’s going to take work from the core group of returners. Sophomores Madison Babicka (distance) and Abbey Sittema (sprints) and seniors Morgan Bell (IM/distance) and Lindsey Strong (IM/fly) are projected to lead the way.

Hobart is another team based on youth. The Brickies graduated a couple of swimmers and are hopeful of improvement in each meet. Returners such as Morgan Courteau, Alivia Pender and Layne Watts top the depth chart along with freshman newcomer Kaylee Gubricky (IM/breast).

Another club in transition is Griffith. Recently, former Calumet coach Danelle Bulatovich was handed the keys to a Panthers’ team that finished below .500 in 2010. But with upperclassmen such as Kalie Lastagarkov (senior who swims the fly) and junior Allie Meece (distance), big expectations are still there. Bulatovich is hopeful of having some school records broken and some of her 25 girls making it to the finals of sectionals.

 

Greater South Shore Conference

Much like in other sports, success has carried on with this particular Wheeler team. Last year’s conference title marked the fourth consecutive crown for the club that went 11-4. Now with juniors Audrey Schnell (back and IM) and Alli Bolde (200 and 500 free) and seniors Kelly Nikolich (100 and 50 free) and Danielle Radosevich (a Valparaiso transfer who swims the back and fly), expectations are still high.

North Newton may not have a ton depth, but according to first year coach Audrey A. Combs-Long, the girls are quite dedicated. Last season the Spartans (who went 10-12) finished second in conference. The upperclassmen laden group is spearheaded by seniors Jenny Madrigal (freestyle), Andrea Kelly (freestyle), Katie Carnett (breast stroke), Katelyn Robson (freestyle, long distance), Jessica Pea (diver) and Lydia Drenth (back and free).

For the past couple of seasons Calumet has been on a continually growth spurt. With nine girls to start the year with, second-year coach Ann Marie Keene is excited about the talent she sees. Last season a school record was broken and this year could see at least two more similar achievements. Junior captain Roberta Pivoriupe (200 and 500 free) provides not only a strong work ethic, but she’s also a formidable leader.

Tori Klimczak may be on a South Central team consisting of only one player, but her scoring continually racks up points for the Satellites. Over the past two years, the daughter of Wheeler coach Adam Klimczak, has set five records at other school’s pools. Now the versatile junior (who swims the 50 and 100 free at tournament) is hoping that work in the offseason can parlay into her first trip to Indianapolis.

Others

It’s kind of a 50/50 situation as far as the depth goes with East Chicago: half the team is new and half is made up of returners. But, the program is hopeful that strength and growth can jell together. Senior returners Alix Martinez (free and fly), Destiny Figueroa (breast), Crystal Ledesma (500 free), Maria Ochoa (200 IM), Karla Munoz (500 free) and Brenda Catalan (free and fly) are joined by junior newcomer Amanda Sylvers (free and back).

Gavit won the Great Lakes Athletic conference in 2010 and would like to bring home the title again this winter. Helping the cause is the jump from 11 swimmers to 16 this season. Seniors Stephanie Maman (500 free) and Alexis Saksa (200 IM) and juniors Katie Goodrich (200 IM and 100 fly) and Helen Shelton (50 free and 100 breast) are part of a group that would also like to be competitive at the sectional.

The task at hand for Morton is to win their first GLAC crown. Last season the team went 7-5, 3-0, but finished second at the conference meet. Now with no seniors, junior Rachal Metz (back and 200 free) is the most talented returning upperclassmen. With four players lost from 2010’s team, it’s going to be a fast chance for growth. 

It’s going to be a rebuilding year for Hammond. The Wildcats went 6-4 last season and then lost twin standouts Amanda and Jasmine Navarro to graduation. With key returner, senior Alex Kaminski, the retooling process begins.

— By correspondent
Josh Lichtenfeld

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