Heidkamp leads swimmers

Updated: August 30, 2011 8:12PM

Don’t tell Genna Heidkamp that no Hinsdale Central girls swimmer has ever won the state 100-yard butterfly.

Heidkamp is more concerned with team goals, which is why she’ll do anything to lead Hinsdale Central to its first state championship since 1993. The Red Devils have won seven times, but appear in good shape to be in contention this season with nearly their entire team back. Hinsdale Central lost two swimmers from last season’s sixth-place team.

Most of this year’s team is made up of seniors.

“That’s one of the unique things about our class,” said Heidkamp, a senior. “We’ve consistently been improving throughout our high school careers. We’ve developed quite well now. The seniors developed quickly.”

Heidkamp is Hinsdale Central’s top returning individual after taking third in the 100-yard butterfly (55.88).

But Heidkamp’s specialty was in relays. She appeared in all three, finishing with a finals medal each time.

The 200 medley relay was eighth with Hannah Lillioja, Lindsay Pavich, Heidkamp and Jen Coady. The 200 free relay took fifth with Olivia Garrett, Kerry Grosshans, Coady and Heidkamp and the 400 free was eighth with Fontini Kaufman, Kristen Worthington, Coady and Heidkamp.

In the offseason, Heidkamp did not play water polo and remained focused on competing with her Westmont Swim Club.

“A number of the girls competed there as well,” Heidkamp said. “I was pretty happy with what happened in the offseason. We’ll see how prepared we are for high school.”

The butterly remains one of Heidkamp’s favorite events. That was one event that she spent plenty of time on during the offseason.

“I’m stronger and I’ve been fine tuning on the fly,” Heidkamp said.”Right now it’s great getting back into the swing of things. I’m getting back in shape. We have a lot of freshmen coming in.”

red devils GIRLS SWIMMING

Coach: Bob Barber

Last year’s finish: Sixth at State

Top returnees: Fotini Kaufman, Sr.; Kristen Worthington, Sr.; Abbey King, Sr.; Hannah Lillioja, Sr.; Lindsay Pavich, Sr.; Genna Heidkamp, Sr.; Jen Coady, Sr.; Olivia Garrett, Jr.; Kerry Grosshans, Jr.

Biggest meets: Dual meet at New Trier, Sept. 17; Trevian Relays, Oct. 15

Outlook: With nearly everyone back, the Red Devils have the firepower to contend with New Trier, Loyola and Rosary for a state title. Hinsdale Central’s last state title in girls swimming came in 1993 under former coach Carol Bobo. The Red Devils tied for second in 2008. Heidkamp and Coady were the team’s only swimmers to compete in all three relays last season.

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