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Fox Valley Conference
Cary-Grove
Coach: Scott Lattyak (sixth season)
Last year: Sixth at FVC Meet
Top returners: Natalie Hamann, sr.; Ashlynn Baker, jr.; Karsen Seeger, jr.; Sejal Dhindsa, so.; Sarah Pilut, so.; Emily Havard, so.
Key newcomers: Emma Boldwyn, fr.; Samantha Anthony, fr.
Worth noting: The Trojans lost perennial state qualifier Melissa Rose, but Lattyak said his team is united this year and could be a force in the conference. He is now the longest tenured FVC girls swim coach.
Crystal Lake co-op
Coach: Stephanie Wozny (third season)
Last year: Second at FVC Meet
Top returners: Valerie Tarazi (Prairie Ridge), so.; Paige Dalbke (Prairie Ridge), jr.; Tessa Shorten (Prairie Ridge), jr.
Key newcomers: Rhiannon Wozny (Crystal Lake Central), fr.; Caitlin Pieroni (Prairie Ridge), fr.; Taylor Fisher (Crystal Lake Central), fr.
Worth noting: Tarazi is back to chase a state title after placing in the 100-yard freestyle and individual medley last season. The Tigers return Dalbke and Shorten and add some talented freshmen.
Dundee-Crown
Coach: Marilyn Lemke (fourth season)
Last year: Seventh at FVC Meet
Top returners: Kellie Mucha, sr.; Jessica Pflanz, sr.; Amy Merkelz, jr.; Lauren Hogue, sr.; Natalya Damato, jr.; Rachel Bucholc, jr.; Faith Kenaga, jr.; Angela Marat, so.
Key newcomers: Abby Mucha, fr.; Cailey Crimera, fr.; Maddy Gomez, fr.
Worth noting: The Chargers return some strong, experienced swimmers and have some promising freshmen coming in. They started the season practicing in the Sleepy Hollow pool, which is about 19 yards long.
Huntley
Coach: Brenda Czarnecki (first season)
Last year: Third at FVC Meet
Top returners: Keili Herron, sr.; Abigail Siefken, sr.; Veronica Burgos, jr.; Jacqueline Padal, jr.; Jaclyn Smitendorf, jr.; Ellie Ferency, jr.; Allie Kriegler, jr.; Allison Cravens, so.
Key newcomers: Kristen Czarnecki, jr.; Katelyn Carlson, fr.
Worth noting: First-year coach Czarnecki said the team is looking forward to a fresh start and looks to emphasize team unity to lead them to a successful season. Kristen Czarnecki looks to be a state qualifier in her first season.
Jacobs-Hampshire co-op
Coach: Emily Susmarski (second season)
Last year: First at FVC Meet
Top returners: Izzy Bavaro, so.; Alexa Agoranos, jr.; Rochelle Sia, jr.; Sydney Erickson, sr.; Olivia Zawadzmi, so.; Jackie O’Connor, sr.
Key newcomers: Megan Herrera, fr.; Alex Peterson, fr.; Megan Foulks, fr.; Mady Gordon, so.; Makaylin Monasterio, fr.; Tori Bernstein, fr.
Worth noting: Bavaro returns as a state qualifier in the breaststroke. With the relay team of Bavaro, Sia, O’Connor and Agnoranos back, Susmarski is hoping to get a medley relay team to state after just missing last season.
McHenry
Coach: Rick Schaefer (first season)
Last year: Fourth at FVC Meet
Top returners: Hannah Lange, jr.; Sarah Lesniak, sr.; Jaclyn Walter, sr.; Kristin Naughton, sr.
Key newcomers: Jenessa Kruse, jr.; Megan Frost, fr.; Caileigh McCafferty, fr.; Payton Lange, fr.
Worth noting: The Warriors have a new coach for the first time in more than four decades with the retirement of Mike Shanahan. Hannah Lange returns as a state qualifier in the 500 freestyle, and the Warriors add three freshmen who are near state-qualifying times.
Woodstock co-op
Coach: Renee Walker (third season)
Last year: Fifth at FVC Meet
Top returners: Gianna McGuire, sr.; Lizzy Kruse, sr.; Tess Devinger, sr.; Katie Ferguson, sr.; Abby Roberts, sr.; Samantha Curtis, sr.; Maddie Emmons, sr.; Rebecca Jagman, so.; Margaret Zawadzki, jr.
Key newcomers: Olivia Hungness, fr.; Riya Virani, fr.; Korrin Mecklenburg, fr.; Emma Doerr, fr.; Maggie Griffin, fr.; Hazel Ringpis, so.
Worth noting: Devinger looks to qualify for state for the first time and has hit the qualifying time in the breaststroke this year. With a big influx of freshmen, the team has grown to 15 swimmers.
– Rob Smith
rsmith@shawmedia.com