A pair of welcome deliveries marked the first week of swimming practice at Lake Forest.
On Aug. 17 coaches Lea and Erik Maurer welcomed their second child, a son they named Rex Michael.
Around the same time, the latest issue of Swimming World magazine arrived in the mail. Inside, the Scouts learned they had been awarded the public school national championship last season.
For the two-time defending state champions, it was an exciting way to begin their drive toward a third title.
“It was a real motivator for us that the boys team two years ago won a national title,” Lake Forest senior Lindsey Kelly said. “We work really hard and it’s really cool to know the stuff we do has finally paid off.”
“The girls were watching what the guys did a few years ago,” Erik Maurer said. “They pay attention and they realize what happened and what those guys did. They become more aware of what’s possible.”
The Scouts’ quest to become just the third team to win three straight titles begins with Kelly. A state champion in the 50-yard freestyle as a sophomore, she has compiled 12 top-three finishes at state–four times contributing to state championship relays.
“Lindsey has been really a rock for this program her entire career,” Erik Maurer said. “She likes being in the role of the go-to person, and it’s the only role she’s ever known.”
“Everyone looks up to her so much,” Scouts senior Ashley Dell said of Kelly. “If she’s cheering for the team in practice, everyone gets really motivated.”
Kelly headlines Lake Forest’s impressive group of freestylers. Agatha Kwasnik (sixth in the 200, seventh in the 100), Carly Beck (ninth in the 200) and Dell (ninth in the 500) all return from strong finishes at state.
As a freshman Mallory Mullaly finished fifth in diving at state last year. Three of the divers ahead of her graduated, leaving the door open for a big year.
“She got a great taste of the state meet last year,” Erik Maurer said. “She showed a huge amount of poise and grace under fire as a freshman.”
Sophomore Christine Mauro steps in to compete in the backstroke and freestyle with favorable Lake Forest bloodlines. Her sisters Alyse and Florence were both all-state swimmers.
Brittany Whipple, a junior transfer from Stevenson, will compete in the individual medley or breaststroke, and freshman Allie Davitt will swim in freestyles and the butterfly.
Lake Forest didn’t run away with either of its titles, and the third time won’t be any easier.
“We have a really good team again this year, and a lot of girls have the potential to score points at state,” Kelly said. “There are definitely some really good schools out there with a lot of sophomore and junior talent. It’s just going to be every little point counts.
“It’s going to be a fight for the state title this year, but we think we’ve got a good shot.”
Top 5 swimming teams
1. Lake Forest
The two-time defending state champs have finished in the top four at state in each of the past five years. Senior Lindsey Kelly took second in the 100 and 500 freestyle last year, and the Scouts return three-fourths of their championship 400 freestyle relay team and all of the 200 medley relay squad that finished sixth.
2. Rosary
Led by a trio of strong relays, last year’s state runner-up should be just as strong this season. The Royals return their entire 200 medley relay team and lost just one member each from third-place squads in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. Led by Patty Descenza (butterfly), Brittany Doss (breaststroke) and Emily Cole (freestyle), Rosary features talent in every event.
3. Naperville Central
Juniors Kelly McNichols and Kelly Krzemienski give the RedHawks two of the top freestylers in the state, and all but one swimmer returns from top-five squads in the 200 and 400 freestyle relays. But coach Jon Carlson also likes his team’s improved depth. Junior Sarah Pucci could make an impact in freestyle events or the backstroke.
4. Naperville North
Behind Katie Stratton–defending champ in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke–the Huskies hope to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish at state. Stratton, Emily Lanteigne and Julie DeBruin return from a 400 free relay squad that took second.
5. Lyons
Coach Scott Walker is excited about his relay squads–all three were top 10 at state last season. With help from seniors Emily Walter (diving) and Kelly Kono (500 freestyle), the Lions should improve on `03’s ninth place.
On the verge: Neuqua Valley, Evanston, New Trier, Glenbrook North, Hinsdale Central.Top 5 swimming teams
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Top girls swimmers and divers
FREESTYLE CL SCHOOL
Carly Beck Jr. Lake Forest
Emily Cole Sr. New Trier
Julie DeBruin Jr. Naperville North
Ashley Dell Sr. Lake Forest
Mairen Foley Sr. New Trier
Abby Glaser Sr. Rosary
Emily Hoefler Sr. Downers South
Jennifer Ivarson Jr. Downers North
Lindsey Kelly Sr. Lake Forest
Kelly Kono Sr. Lyons
Kelly Krzemienski Jr. Naperville Cent.
Christine Kuczek Jr. Deerfield
Agatha Kwasnik Jr. Lake Forest
Emily Lanteigne Jr. Naperville North
Meghan Mason So. Neuqua Valley
Kelly McNichols Jr. Naperville Cent.
Kate Orbon Sr. Glenbrook N.
Michelle Pircon Jr. Rosary
Kathryn Snedeker So. Hinsdale Central
Francie Szostak So. Glenbrook N.
BACKSTROKE CL SCHOOL
Kate Aherne Jr. Cary-Grove
Danielle Buglio Sr. Fenwick
Kelly Dvorak Sr. Addison Trail
Ashley Jones Jr. Minooka
Melissa Marik Jr. Neuqua Valley
Sarah Pucci Jr. Naperville Cent.
Catrina Roth Sr. Batavia
Malarie Schmidt Sr. Rosary
BREASTSTROKE CL SCHOOL
Kelsey Ammentorp Sr. Conant
Amy Andracki So. Prospect
Rebecca DeSalle So. Hinsdale Central
Brittany Doss So. Rosary
Meghan Fiene Sr. Naperville North
Megan Finn Sr. Fenwick
Danielle Hermann Sr. Lake Park
Katie Stratton Jr. Naperville North
BUTTERFLY CL SCHOOL
Patty Descenza Jr. Rosary
Marisa Gaither So. Lake Forest
Betsy Lange Sr. Hinsdale South
Kathryn Michelau Jr. Stevenson
Kalea Middendorf Jr. Rosary
Kayla Redig Jr. Downers North
Tina Van De Vusse Sr. Maine West
Laura Wadden Sr. Evanston
DIVING CL SCHOOL
Katie Boyer So. Neuqua Valley
Lauren Griffin Sr. H-Flossmoor
Lucy Hirt Sr. Mundelein
Amy Korthauer Jr. Naperville Cent.
Mallory Mullady So. Lake Forest
Kate Prorok Sr. Hersey
Emily Walter Sr. Lyons
Kyla Bachtel Jr. Waubonsie Vall.
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