Relays and diving among highlights this season.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The York girls swimming team continues to make preparations for Saturday’s Downers Grove North sectional where berths in the state finals meet will be on the line.
The Dukes recently competed in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division meet where the York varsity finished in sixth place, while the junior-varsity and frosh-soph teams both took fourth.
“At the conference we came down some of our frosh-soph swimmers because we have a younger team,” said York coach Jeff Skalon. “All the kids who tapered down improved on times quite a bit and had some good drops. They had some good swims. The kids who are going to sectionals held their times.”
In terms of the sectional, Skalon said diver Birgitte Kammerdiener, a state qualifier a year ago, continues to make progress, as does Meg Quinn in the 100 butterfly and Moleigh Waldherr in the 100 breaststroke, as well as Nicole Bednarik in the 100 freestyle.
Skalon also is high on the team’s 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams. The 200 medley is comprised of Amanda Pollach, Waldherr, Quinn and Bednarik, while the 200 freestyle features freshman Clare Pfaff, Jess Reed, Bednarik and Quinn.
Skalon also noted Pollach has made significant strides this season. “We’re super-excited about Amanda,” he said. “From her freshman year to this year she has stepped up her ability and her swimming. She’s a talented kid.”
In addition to Kammerdiener, diver Isabel Monarez also has been improving for the Dukes.
“Birgitte is having a good year and Isabel is doing pretty well,” said Skalon. “Birgitte has already been to state and we’re hopeful she makes it there again. She’s been great this year.”
Skalon has been pleased with how the team has progressed this season.
“I think there is more to it than where you finish at the conference meet,” he said. “We’ve dealt with some tough times as a team and the kids have done well and have come together. We have kids who swim hard and love the sport. They have really come together and that is what matters. Kids are swimming and dropping times. This is an exciting time for them. They have worked hard all season. We’re excited about the sectional. We feel we have some people who will step up in the right ways. At this time of the year, you never say something is a sure thing and you never count anybody out. Girls will find a way. The sectional we are in there is no clear-cut favorite. It could be anybody’s game. We will see what happens.”
