Bogdan wants to lead way again for Lockport

Lockport's Hayley Bogdan knows she set a high standard for herself with a big sophomore season.

Now as a junior, she sees good and bad aspects of that but tries to focus on the positive.

“I think sometimes it's hard to deal with because you have the pressure of wanting to be as good as you were last season,” Bogdan said. “It's also a good way to start off and a good bar to set because it shows you that if you work hard, you can get those good results.

“I try to think about that and use it as motivation, knowing what I'm capable of doing when I put in thework.”

Bogdan qualified for state last season in the 100-yard freestyle and was on two state-qualifying teams in the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay.

She was one of the major reasons the Porterswon their fifth straight sectional title and sixth in seven years.

“Hayley had a great season last year,” Lockport coach Grant Ferkaluk said. “She really stepped up as a sophomore and had some great swims for us. She's got a bright future, and I'm excited to see where she can go from here.”

Bogdan has picked up where she left off, winning three events in each of the Porters' first two SouthWest Suburban Conference dual meets.

She won the 50 free, 100 free and 50 butterfly against Andrew. She was victorious in the 50 free, 50 fly and 100 fly against BradleyBourbonnais.

Bogdan is in her 11th year as a swimmer.

“I really like howthere's a team aspect but also individuality in the sport,” she said. “It's a mental sport. Your mental game being strong is a big thing.”

Bogdan hopes to use this shortened season to build for the future, both individually and with the team.

“We're a really young team,” she said. “This year is a good chance for us to come together as a team and prepare for next season. Iwant to do anything I can to help outmy teammates.”

Bogdan plans to continue her career beyond Lockport.

“I really want to swim in college,” she said. “I have to figure out where I want to go and what major I want to go for and keep working hard to make it happen.”

Back with a splash: Richards senior Kate Gillespie started swimming for a club team at an early age, but she initially did not think itwas the sport for her.

“I stopped doing it and I tried a bunch of other sports,” she said. “I did volleyball, softball, gymnastics, soccer. Sophomore year, I decided to join the swimming team. I quit most of those other sports, and now I do softball and swim.”

Gillespie's classmates convinced her to come back to the pool.

“I knew some girls on the team and they said it was just such a good team to be on,” she said. “They were right. There are so many awesome girls. It's a great sport to stay active, especially whenwe go into the winter.”

Gillespie has become one of Richards' top swimmers. In a Sept. 9 dual with Richards, she won the 50 free, 100 free and 100 backstroke.

Crosstown victory: In Tuesday's battle ofNewLenoxfoesand top area teams, Lincoln-WayWest beat Lincoln-Way Central 94-50.

Senior LeaMoeller won the 50 free in 24.87 seconds and the 200 free in 2 minutes, 3.36 seconds, while freshman Hailey Fris won the 200 individual medley in 2:20.01 and the 100 backstroke in 1:02.54.