When it was announced that Lincoln-Way North would close at the end of the academic year, Phoenix girls swim coach Kendra Will knew her team’s response could be a variety of things.
She couldn’t be more pleased at what she saw.
“These girls want to make it our best season yet,” Will said. “They’re more motivated than ever. We’re looking to make memories and make sure we remember everything. We know some girls will graduate and others will end up at Lincoln-Way East, but let’s make this the best yet.”
In seven years of varsity competition, the Phoenix lost their very first conference meet but have not lost since. Will’s team takes a streak of six straight titles into this weekend’s SouthWest Suburban Red meet at Lincoln-Way West.
Diving is Friday while the swimming events are Saturday.
In looking to close the program out with a seventh straight conference title, the Phoenix have their work cut out for them.
“With a couple other teams really chasing it, it will be harder than ever,” Will said. “This will probably be the closest meet yet. We’re going to bust our butts though, and we’re excited because we know it will be close.”
Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way West figure to be in contention as well.
Senior and two-time state qualifier Cassidy DeGraff has been a strong swimmer for North, but Will says it has been a total team effort this year.
“A smaller team with down numbers so every girl has to step up,” Will said. “We need all the points we can score, so we’ll stay positive and do the best we can.”
JCA’s Bertino hopeful: Joliet Catholic senior Nina Bertino has a hope as her high school tennis career ends.
She hopes the program doesn’t forget her. It would be hard to forget what Bertino accomplished.
A four-time state qualifier, she reached the round of 16 in singles at last week’s state meet.
“It was bittersweet because I was happy to reach my goal of round of 16 but upset to lose and end my season,” Bertino said. “Hopefully, I made my mark.”
Bertino says the biggest change during her career was building confidence. With each trip to state, she became a little more confident, knowing she belonged.
“I became a more mature player,” Bertino said. “I was nervous the first couple times at state, but I realized I was a good player, and that really changed my mindset.”
Bertino is undecided on her college choice. Now, the rest of the team gets a chance to step up, including the junior doubles team of McCoy Hutchison and Maddie Bauer.
“I’m excited to see what the juniors can do,” Bertino said. “Be good captains and represent Joliet Catholic as best you can.”
Stagg’s balance: In navigating his first year coaching Stagg’s girls swim team, Matthew Niemeier hasn’t had to lean on one particular class.
The Chargers have balance in their top swimmers in senior Lauren DeAngelis, junior Megan Vallance and sophomore Lauren Johnson.
“Lauren, Megan and Lauren have been carrying the workload,” Niemeier said. “The team’s times have been dropping consistently so we have high expectations where we should be individually going into the final stretch of the season.”
Stagg will compete at the SouthWest Suburban Blue meet this weekend at Sandburg.
Tim O’Brien is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.
