Steve Millar’s top five teams and top 20 girls swimmers and divers to watch from the Southland for the 2020 season

Top 5 Teams 1. Lincoln-Way East:

Griffins lost three key seniors but return a load of talent from a team that ran away with a sectional title in 2019. Junior Grace Hagemaster and junior diver Kate Mitchell are returning state qualifiers, while seniors Cali Burns and Abbey Piech were part of state-qualifying relays. Senior Maddie Schultz, a transfer from Mother McAuley, adds another state qualifier to the mix.

2. Lincoln-Way West:

Coach Eric Pavlacka says this is “by far the best team West has ever had.” Senior Lea Moeller and sophomore Bella Cichon are returning state qualifiers, while senior Kasey Fris is the defending SouthWest Suburban champion in the 500-yard freestyle. Freshmen Hailey Fris and Madalyn Witt are expected to make an immediate impact.

3. Lincoln-Way Central:

Senior Keara McGowan is the area’s top returner, coming off a ninth-place state finish in the 50 free. She also qualified in the 100 free. Junior diver Abby Hawksworth is another returning state qualifier, while junior Autumn Hufnagl is a rising talent. The Knights have 12 seniors.

4. Lo c kport:

Young Porters peaked at the end of 2019, winning a sectional title, but begin the post-Lindsey Merk era as the four-year star is now at Georgia Tech. Junior Haley Bogdan is a returning state qualifier. Senior Alyssa Wengel and sophomore

Maddie Yehling were part of state-qualifying relays.

5. Sandburg:

Senior Jenna Falsey is a returning state qualifier in the 500 freestyle. Sophomores Maureen Flannery and Julia Barry are coming off big freshmen years. Senior Colleen Donnell and junior Erin Barry also will be counted on.

Top 20 Swimmers and Divers

Hayley Bogdan, Lockport, junior, swimmer; Bella Cichon, Lincoln-Way West, sophomore, swimmer; Jenna Falsey, Sandburg, senior, swimmer; Kasey Fris, Lincoln-Way West, senior, swimmer; Elizabeth Gbabiri, Stagg, senior, diver; Grace Hagemaster, Lincoln-Way East, junior, swimmer; Gabriella Hasty, junior, Homewood-Flossmoor; Abby Hawksworth, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, diver; Autumn Hufnagl, Lincoln-Way Central, junior, swimmer; Madi Jager, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, swimmer; Abby Manos, Mother McAuley, junior, diver; Emily Manos, Mother McAuley, sophomore, swimmer; Keara McGowan, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, swimmer; Kate Mitchell, Lincoln-Way East, junior, diver; Lea Moeller, Lincoln-Way West, senior, swimmer; Laura Nainyte, Stagg, senior, swimmer; Abbey Piech, Lincoln-Way East, senior, swimmer; Maddie Schultz, Lincoln-Way East, senior, swimmer; Stephanie Vogt, Andrew, sophomore, swimmer; Alyssa Wengel, Lockport, senior, swimmer