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North ready for shot at CL swimming crown

BY BROOKS SEELEY

Wichita Eagle correspondent

The North girls swimming team will try to mark the 20th anniversary of its last City League championship by adding another this week.

"We are really excited right now," North coach Megan Von Fange said. "This is probably the best shot we've had since then to win it and we don't want to miss out on this opportunity."

The City League meet will be held Thursday at Northwest.

The Redskins have swept through the competition during the season, going undefeated in duals.

"We have a lot of pressure on us because every team is gearing for us," Von Fange said. "We just have to keep our heads cool and we can't be overconfident. We just want to show up and swim some great races."

Northwest, Heights and East figure to provide stiff competition for the Redskins.

Northwest has one of the most talented freshman swimmers in Nikki Daniels. Daniels has set school records in the 100 butterfly and the breaststroke.

Freshman Kara Aaby, Emily Russell, Jill McPherron, Amanda Atkins and diver Jourdan McKevery add depth for the Grizzlies.

"I told the girls that we would get another shot at beating North at the City League meet," Northwest coach Doug Vannaman said. "Now we have to go out and swim our best times and maybe as an underdog we can come up and be City League champion."

East has improved all season and coach Joe Hutchinson still sees potential.

"We have done a great job of improving all year and now is no time to stop," Hutchinson said. "Now we need to see if they can step it up again."

Helping East along the way have been diver Courtney Skaer, Kaitie Shinsato and Kaylee Wheeler. Skaer should compete with McKevery for a diving championship.

"She placed at state last year, so I would love to see Courtney end her career on a great note," Hutchinson said.

Bailey Beins heads the charge for Heights. The City League meet is what the Falcons have been training for all season.

"We train to swim our fastest at City," Heights coach Dale Heckman said. "I just hope we go out and swim our best, that's all I can ask for."

All the coaches seem to have reasons for optimism in the league meet.

"This should be a very entertaining meet with a lot of great races," Heckman said.